Beach Hop, library news, plus roading and project updates
Published on 22 March 2024
Beach Hop revs up this week
Repco Beach Hop has shifted into high gear, bringing tens of thousands of visitors (and their classic cars) to the district.
Yesterday saw dozens of shiny Ford Mustangs convoy into Thames under clear blue skies as part of the retro festival’s ‘Cruise the Loop Drive’.
The high-throttle thrills continued today with the ‘Thunder Cruise’ into Onemana and lots of vintage rock and roll fun at the Beach Hop festival home base of Whangamatā.
Saturday’s Grand Parade is always a highlight, and there are hot rod shows, vintage caravans on display, markets, music, dancing and more over the weekend.
Coromandel-Colville Community Board connects with local groups
Coromandel-Colville Community Board (CCCB) members and staff had a day away from their offices this week, connecting in person with local community groups on the ward’s western side.
The first stop of the day was Waitete Bay where Kate Donoghue and Jill Pierce from Upper Coromandel Forest and Bird shared progress on the Torehina Community Planting project at Waitete Bay, which has been focussing on restoring an area of coastline at the Bay. With support from the community, the group has planted about 1000 pōhutukawa, flax and other plants to control erosion, as well as doing predator control.
At local community café, Hereford 'n’ Pickle, Bronwyn Blair, Frederick Church and Rick Lambourne from The Colville Project shared the latest on the plan for a Wellbeing & Education Centre to house health and other services, and community facilities for remote Northern Coromandel communities. Work began on the four-stage project in 2017, and the Trust purchased 35 hectares in 2022 to build the centre along with recreational facilities and a range of housing options to meet community needs. The Trust is currently preparing for the resource consent process.
Larisa Webb and Cassidy Connor from Colville Junction, which operates out of Colville Village, shared about their mahi on community initiatives. These included a Te Tiriti o Waitangi workshop, monthly Crafternoon Tea events, the Colville Festival, Children’s Day and Colville Harbour Care.
They also spoke about a five-year project, Moehau ki te Moana, working alongside private landowners to fence and plant local waterways and wetlands. The Board was able to visit the Colville Harbour Care native plant nursery, which is growing eco sourced plants for the project.
Site visits were also made to Colville Cemetery, a historic cemetery that had its first recorded burial in 1897, and to Ōtautū Bay.
A big thank you to everyone who took time to share with the Board – it was much appreciated.
What's behind Council rates increases around the country?
If you’ve been wondering what has been driving rates increases, not just at our Council but at most others across the country, Local Government NZ has commissioned a report by leading economist, Brad Olsen of Infometrics, which illustrates the reality of cost pressures that councils are facing. It’s a complex picture that includes higher inflation, the increased costs to service debt, and
rising insurance, compliance and audit costs.
“Councils' share of overall tax revenue has remained at 2% of GDP for the last 50 years, despite our ever-increasing responsibilities,” says LGNZ’s Vice-President Mayor Campbell Barry.
Over the past three years?
• Bridges are 38% more expensive to build
• Wastewater systems are 30% more expensive to build
• Roads and water supply system are 27% more expensive to build.
Check out the full report through the link below, including an analysis of increases in local government costs from NZ economic consultancy Infometrics.
Give us your take on our Long-Term Plan 2024-2034
Remember to have your say on the projects and facilities we’re proposing to deliver to our communities over the next 10 years and beyond.
Visit
Tcdc.govt.nz/LTP-2024-2034 until 8 April to find out how to give your feedback and to read our consultation document and supporting information.
Dune care at Little Bay
Recently, local volunteers and Council staff went on an adventure to Little Bay as part of the cyclone recovery programme. Members of the Parks and Open Spaces Team, CoastCare and the Mercury Bay Environmental Trust, joined some dedicated locals to help remove invasive weeds from the dunes. Together, the team removed two ute-loads of weeds.
The most abundant exotic invaders were tree lupins, South African ice plants, and fleabane. Thanks to all the locals who came down to help during the three days of working bees at Little Bay. A big shout out to Danny for helping us get the weeds off the beach on the back of the tractor.
Why is this work important?
Weeds in our dunes can impact the health and recovery of sand lost in storm events. It's important to protect sand-binding native plants such as Spinifex that grow on dunes if not choked out by weeds. The team also installed a dune fence to help protect the runners growing out towards the ocean. These runners will grow longer and start trapping the sand as it blows along the beach, repairing the erosion as part of the natural cycle of sand. In Little Bay, the Spinifex plants have grown two metres seaward since August last year.
The team hopes to get back to Little Bay during planting season for some infill plantings and more work on invasive weeds in the area.
News and events from our District Libraries
Nau mai ki tō tātou whare pukapuka. Here's the latest update from our District Libraries on what's happening in March and April.
A couple of things to note:
• Tairua Library is currently hiring a Community Librarian to lead its day-to-day operations. Click here to find out more.
• Our District Libraries will close for four days over Easter: Good Friday (29 March), Saturday (30 March), Sunday (as usual), and Easter Monday (1 April).
• Thames Library is closing for just over a week this May, while we replace the carpet in the public area. The library will be closed from 12pm on Saturday 4 May until Monday 13 May. We’ll re-open at 9am on Tuesday 14 May.
• School holidays are just around the corner and this time the theme is Animal Fun. Keep an eye on our Facebook page, where we'll launch our timetable of free drop-in school holiday activities in Tairua, Mercury Bay and Thames.
• Some good news: our Libraries app is back in action. The app is an easy way to renew items, place holds, and browse our catalogue. It's available from Google Play store or the App Store for iOS.
The latest from Waka Kotahi NZTA
What to expect if heading to Beach Hop
The roads around the Coromandel Peninsula will be busy this weekend as visitors head to Beach Hop. While the network is in better shape than this time last year, we are still working to repair damage caused by the extreme weather events of early 2023, says Andy Oakley, System Manager for NZTA in the Waikato.
“SH25A is now open however we have several worksites along SH25 where the road is reduced to a single lane with stop/go traffic management in place. Beach Hop cruisers and other visitors should also expect lane narrowing and speed restrictions at numerous sites.
“On top of this recovery work, the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions have a large programme of road renewals this season. This means there are many areas on the key routes to and from the Peninsula where road resurfacing is underway or has recently been put in place.
“It is important to adhere to the relevant temporary speed limits during these works to avoid damage to your vehicle and ensure your safety and that of other road users and our road workers."
SH25A Taparahi bridge reduced to single lane next week
State Highway 25A will be reduced to a single lane at our Taparahi bridge work site with stop/go traffic management in place throughout the day on Monday 24 March and Tuesday 25 March to allow our contractors to carry out some critical finishing works at the site.
Work to finish the restoration of SH25A is expected to be completed by the end of March.
SH25 Ruamahunga Slip stabilisation continues
Equipment and supplies are being delivered to the top of the slope by helicopter on a regular basis. These will be done every second Wednesday, with the next closure on 3 April and will usually take place between 12 noon and 2pm.
SH25 will be closed in both directions at the site for up to 20 minutes at a time so the helicopter can safely operate over the road to deliver those important supplies. The road will then reopen to allow traffic to clear before the next closure.
Recovery work is also underway at Kereta, Te Kōuma and Wharekaho.
Work on our Council roads
Waiotahi Road, Thames, closure: Retaining wall works
From Monday 25 March to Thursday 28 March, Waiotahi Road Thames will be closed from 8am to 5pm for retaining wall works. Residents and emergency services will still have access to their property during this time.
Date: 25–28 March (weather dependant), 8am to 5pm.
Please allow for additional travel time and delays.
Grange Road, Hahei, closure: Drainage works
From Monday 25 March to Wednesday 27 March Grange Rd will be closed from 8am-5pm each day to carry out essential repairs to the drainage culverts damaged in last year's storms. The work will continue until 5 April (weather dependent) but should not require the road to be closed after 27 March.
Date: 25–28 March (weather dependant), 8am to 5pm.
Pedestrians will have access to walk safely through the site with the assistance of traffic management staff on site. Emergency services will have access and provision has been made for kerbside recycling and food waste collections to take place as normally scheduled on Monday 25 March.
New playground for Whitianga
The playground at Moewai Park in Whitianga has been dismantled today. A new playground has been installed close by at the Mercury Bay Multi Sports Park, for the use of residents and users of the sports facilities.
The old playground equipment was expensive to maintain and was due for renewal. After consulting with local residents the decision was made to move the playground to the sports park where it will have much higher use.
There are no plans for Moewai Park to be used for
anything other than public reserve.
Kōpū Boat Ramp
It’s full steam ahead on the Kōpū boat ramp and marine vessel servicing precinct. With the marine work finished, contractors are now focused on the services, pavement and accessways to the facility.
• Electrical installation has commenced.
• Basecourse has been placed on King Street to form a road suitable for boaties to access the existing boat ramp.
• New kerbs have been poured along King Street; footpath preparation is underway.
• The installation of the culverts at the Quay St entrance has begun.
We’re looking forward to opening it to the public in May. We’ll be publicising the opening date as soon as it’s confirmed.
Please note that during the culvert construction works in March all traffic including boat ramp trailers will be diverted via the King Street entrance to provide access to the existing boat ramp.
Easter rubbish and recycling
This coming week is yellow week (recycling wheelie bin, glass crate and food scraps).
From Monday to Thursday collections are as usual.
Monday: Whangamatā South, Mercury Bay South
Tuesday: Whangamatā North, Onemana, Ōpoutere, Whitianga
Wednesday: Coromandel Town and Te Kōuma, Coromandel Rural North, Thames Coast and Manāia, Mercury Bay North
Thursday: Thames & Surrounds, Thames Rural South, Tairua
However, there are no collections on Good Friday, 29 March. Instead Pāuanui’s collection will be on Saturday 30 March.
Our Refuse and Recycling Transfer Stations will also all be closed on Good Friday, but open from 8.30-5.30pm over the rest of Easter weekend.
The week after Easter all red rubbish week collections will take place a day later.
Please check out your collection calendars on www.tcdc.govt.nz/bindays. Or pick up a printed collection calendar at your nearest Council office or library.
Recycling bin stickers
Our contractors will be updating the stickers on your yellow-lidded recycling bins over the next few months. The updated information clearly shows what recycling is accepted in the bin, and also examples of what should not be placed in the bin.
If you’re keen to get a sticker early, you can pick up a sticker at any of our offices.
Please note that a dive team from NIWA (National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research) will be conducting an aquatic plant survey of Cooks Beach Lake A and Lake B using a dive team on Tuesday 2 April and Wednesday 3 April.
The purpose of this survey is to gather important data regarding the aquatic plant population within the lakes and better understand the ecological balance of the lakes.
We kindly request the cooperation and understanding of all residents during this survey operation. For safety reasons, we advise the public to maintain a safe distance from the dive team and to refrain from interfering with their activities.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the aquatic plant survey, please contact our Customer Services team on 07 868 0200.
Cycle safety course
There are still some spaces left in our free cycle skills courses coming up in April and May. The course is designed to help you build confidence to ride your bike safely.
You'll need a roadworthy bike and an approved helmet to take part.
To secure a space, contact our Council now on 07 868 0200 or email customer.services@tcdc.govt.nz.
You can find more biking tips at: bikeready.govt.nz
Please share this information with would-be cyclists in your networks.
Opportunities at our Council
At our Council we ensure work-life balance is not just a dream but a reality. We offer an array of staff benefits including flexible work arrangements, relocation allowance, sick leave on commencement of employment and more.
Our current job vacancies are:
• Environmental Health Team Leader
• Environmental Health Officer
• Senior Business Intelligence and Data Engineer
• Senior Resource Consent Planner
If you're interested in working for us, and there are currently no vacancies that fit your skillset and knowledge, please complete the expression of interest application via the link below.
Whangamatā Beach Hop: Alcohol ban
No alcohol can be consumed in any public place in Whangamatā over Repco Beach Hop. The ban is in place from 4pm Tuesday 19 March 2024 until 4am Monday 25 March 2024.
Adoptable dogs
We currently have some lovely dogs who are looking for homes.
These are two fun-loving labrador brothers.
They're about 9 months and love being active. They also love pats and cuddles.
If you are interested in adopting a dog, please contact us on 07 868 0200.
Once your interest is known a Dog Control Officer will be in contact with you to discuss the adoption.
