Our weekly wrap-up: Urgent recovery work has to be the priority
Published on 03 March 2023
The latest from Mayor Len
Mayor Len’s main message to our ratepayers this week is that it’s not business as usual post-storm: urgent recovery work has to be the priority.
“On 3 February 2023 in my role as Mayor, I officially declared a State of Emergency for our district, more than a week before Cyclone Gabrielle hit, which was superseded by the declaration of a National State of Emergency, which still exists.
Now, in March as the sun comes out and the rain eases off (and assuming it stays away), it’s natural to think that things are back to normal.
Almost all of our Council staff are still involved in response to the emergency at one level or another.
They’ve worked weekends and holidays.
They’ve worked on their days off, and many have worked through the night when things got bad. They all have families of their own, and yet have dedicated their time and their work to keeping the people of the Coromandel safe, helping out those affected by the storms and cyclones, as well as trying to do their day jobs.
Many of our contractors are still working to get roads opened and slips cleared, not just in our own district, but in the other parts that are also struggling to get back on their feet (e.g. Hawke’s Bay, Tairāwhiti and Northland).
Meanwhile, we’re receiving hundreds of inquiries about how we can address flooding, coastal protection, solid waste collection and clean-up of our parks and reserves.
While we work through these processes and get back to a state of business as usual, we ask for your patience and understanding. We know some ratepayers are feeling frustrated at delays in service and communication. We know that many of the requests for work and attention are urgent and these are given absolute priority. If your request is not urgent, please allow us time to deal with our urgent priorities first.
In this post-storm emergency environment, the service timescales and expectations that we would normally apply to ourselves, and our contractors need to be revised.
We’re still dealing with displaced people, red-stickered homes, a smashed roading network, as well as individuals, businesses and communities that are hurting from the combined effects of two years of COVID and seven weeks of extreme weather.
We’ve opened a Mayoral Relief Fund and applications are open. Donations have started flowing in. We’re delighted to announce that the latest donation has been a generous $300,000 from the media company, Stuff. Many thanks to all our donors – every dollar helps.
Properties that have been deemed uninhabitable (red stickered) are being granted a rates remission.
We also have two other key funds opening up, one specifically for business support and another for longer-term rebuild and recovery efforts. Keep an eye on our website or Facebook page where we’ll publish more details soon. Distribution and administration of these funds is time-consuming and administration-heavy; but this attention is necessary in order to ensure we allocate help fairly, prioritising those who most need it.
Please take part in this business impact survey here to help us pull together information so we can provide evidence and data to central government about the real impacts of the 2023 weather events on our district. This will help us to pull together a business case so we can access assistance and funding packages to support you.
We will soon transition to post-Emergency ‘Recovery’ status. We’re aiming to bring in more people and resources to help with this process, hopefully funded with more Government support, because the work can’t be managed by our staff alone and the burden can’t be carried by our ratepayers alone.
We are so grateful for the high degree of direct government involvement and funding we’ve already received. This will allow us to immediately unlock help for those who need it most, in all phases, including the short-term, the medium- and longer-term recovery, which are underway.
Thank you for your patience, your understanding and your co-operation.
On another note, the Childrens Day in Thames this Sunday is a great opportunity to take part in post-storm ‘feel good’ festivities. I’ll be attending a Lions Club family picnic day fundraising event to be held at the Whitianga Bike Park between 10am and 2pm on Sunday where I’ll be playing in the Whitianga Dixieland Band around 10am and 1.30pm. Come and say kia ora!”
Welcome to our world
Our doors are open, our guides are waiting, and nature is calling.
There's no doubt The Coromandel (and much of the North Island) has had it's fair share of wild weather to kick off 2023. However, true to form, the locals, businesses and official agencies have pulled together to get us back on our feet... and on our feet we are. The Coromandel is pleased to be back to business, with our doors wide open and ready to welcome you in.
With SH25A now out of action (for what will be quite some time), our scenic routes on SH25 around the coast and SH2 through the Karangahake Gorge are the best. Many of us would say they always have been! It might take a wee bit longer to reach your destination, but allow that time to unwind, stop off along the way and take in all we have to offer. Find out more here.
What's on in the Coromandel?
Our hospitality and events businesses extend a warm welcome to visitors and look forward to showing just what a special place our district is. There is lots going on, including the Mercury Bay Art Escape this weekend and next, where you can visit local artists in their studios.
Before you travel, check the status of State Highways on the Waka Kotahi website and our local Council roads on our website.
Check out all the exciting events coming up in our district over the autumn season here.
Action on waste minimisation: Council and Seagull Centre project
Our Council’s Solid Waste team has been working closely with Thames’ Seagull Centre staff and Council’s Solid Waste Contractor, Smart Environmental, on a resource recovery initiative at Thames Refuse Transfer Station in an effort to divert more reusable items away from landfill.
For many years, the Seagull Centre has offered a drop-off service for people on their way to the transfer station to donate reusable items, instead of discarding them into the refuse pit to end up in landfill. Recently, the Seagull Centre has put up more visible signage and our Council has implemented traffic line marking on the entrance driveway to further encourage customers on the way to the transfer station to turn into the centre so Seagull staff can help pick out reusable goods. The Seagull staff are also collaborating actively with Smart Environmental’s transfer station staff to help customers avoid tipping reusable items into the refuse pit – saving customers on disposal costs and helping divert reusable goods from landfill.
The initiative has seen increased levels of resource recovery. “This is a great result for both our community and environment,” our Council’s Solid Waste Manager, Anna Stevens says.
Council is now working with the Seagull Centre and Smart Environmental to expand this initiative to have a drop-off point at the Tairua and Pāuanui Refuse Transfer Station sites. The items will then be transported to the Seagull Centre in Thames for recovery and resale to anyone who may be interested.
We look forward to keeping you updated as the project progresses.
Government single-use plastics ban coming in July
Under new government regulations, the following single-use plastic items will be banned from 1 July 2023:
Plastic produce labels must also be replaced with more compostable alternatives.
After 1 July 2023 the manufacture, sale or distribution of plastic produce bags, and plastic plates, bowls and cutlery will be banned.
*Supermarkets, pharmacies, eateries and health and disability services will still be allowed to provide plastic straws to people who need them for health or disability reasons.
Plastic produce labels must begin the transition to become home compostable by 2025.**
Prepare for the ban:
The Ministry for the Environment will be working to support businesses to understand their responsibilities.
You can prepare for these changes now:
-
Stop ordering banned items and use up any existing stock.
-
Source non-plastic or reusable alternatives such as reusable or paper bags, metal cutlery and reusable bowls.
-
Prepare your staff, communities and customers for the changes.
For more information, click here or contact plastics@mfe.govt.nz.
**This transition period will allow time for improvements to compostable label technology.
Let's talk rubbish
And remember, we want your feedback now please on our draft Waste Management and Minimisation Plan.
This consultation has been extended to Sunday 12 March.
We’re developing a proposed action plan over the next six years towards achieving our goal of sending less district waste to landfill – it's described in the draft Waste Management and Minimisation Plan. We would like your feedback to fine tune the draft plan.
Tell us what you think here.
Census 2023 update
Census day is officially 7 March, so complete the census form online, on paper or on one of the alternate formats Statistics NZ has made available.
See the Census 2023 website for more information on how to complete the census: census.govt.nz
Stats NZ knows that people in some parts of our district may have difficulties completing the census due to the impacts of the cyclone and Stats NZ is still considering where they may need to have collectors “in the field” to assist. Contact Stats NZ if you have not received your forms yet. Phone: 0800 CENSUS (0800 236 787) or go online.
Read more about the government’s decision to extend the census collection period for parts of the country affected by Cyclone Gabrielle here.
Work is continuing to deliver the Tairua Skatepark
Due to the recent flood events, finalisation of the design and procurement has slowed to allow key team members to support our Council in the recovery process.
However, we are still targeting completion of the procurement process for approval by our Council at its 4 April meeting.
This year, we anticipate:
- Design and contractor procurement to be completed and submitted for approval at the 4 April Council meeting.
- Working with contractor availability and the local rugby season timetable, construction is anticipated to begin mid-2023, with project completion by the end of 2023.
- Once construction work begins, finalisation of the rugby field sizing is to be agreed with Tairua Rugby and Sports Club, Thames Valley Rugby Union, and our Council.
Find out more about this project at tcdc.govt.nz/tairuaskatepark.
Our Council road and resealing work begins
Although extensive works are ongoing with the recent storm events, we still need to start our Council’s road and resurfacing programme to keep up with maintenance on our local roads and ensure the longevity of our network.
Different crews are using different equipment, so it doesn’t take away from post-storm road repair work.
Works are programmed to start Monday 6 March and planned to be completed prior to the end of April (weather dependant). The program extends over all areas of the Thames-Coromandel District.
We’re sending letters to all affected households with further information. Please ensure all vehicles are parked off the road on the day of the works to allow the full width of the road to be surfaced. Vehicles parked on roads following notification may be towed at the owner’s cost so work can proceed.
The planned programme can be found below or on our website each week, however this may change dependant on conditions so please check our Facebook page and listen to the daily broadcast on local radio stations for updates.
Following the resealing there will be speed restrictions and loose chip for a while, which will be re-swept if necessary.
We will do our best to minimise inconvenience to motorists, but please be patient and follow the directions of traffic controllers and temporary speed restriction signs.
Planned work for next week:
|
Programmed Date:
|
Area:
|
Road:
|
|
6/03/2023
Monday
|
Whangamatā
|
McKellar Pl
|
|
Whangamatā
|
Martyn Rd
|
|
Whitianga
|
Blacksmith Lane
|
|
Whitianga
|
The Esplanade
|
|
7/03/2023
Tuesday
|
Tairua
|
Gallagher Dr
|
|
Pāuanui
|
Hikuai Settlement Rd
|
|
Whitianga
|
Joan Gaskell Dr/Kupe Dr Roundabout
|
|
8/03/2023
Wednesday
|
Hahei
|
Lees Rd
|
|
Hahei
|
Link Rd
|
|
Whenuakite
|
Boat Harbour Rd
|
|
Hahei
|
Hahei Rd
|
|
Whitianga
|
Albert St/Buffalo Beach Rd Roundabout
|
|
9/03/2023
Thursday
|
Hotwater Beach
|
Hot Water Beach Rd
|
|
Whitianga
|
The Esplanade
|
|
10/03/2023
Friday
|
Cooks Beach
|
Purangi Rd
|
|
Whangamatā
|
St Patricks Row
|
|
11/03/2023
Saturday
|
Cooks Beach
|
Fred Harsant Dr
|
|
Cooks Beach
|
Joyce Harsant Pl
|
|
Cooks Beach
|
Longreach Dr
|
|
Cooks Beach
|
Oliver Leighs Dr
|
Long vehicles banned from Tapu-Coroglen and 309 roads
Our Council has introduced new restrictions under its Traffic Control Bylaw - banning vehicles 12.6 metres or longer from The 309 and Tapu-Coroglen roads.
Vehicles longer than 12.6 metres are now prohibited from using The 309 and Tapu-Coroglen Roads unless they are are accessing properties on these roads or carrying out vital work such as emergency transportation or authorised repairs.
Our Council has passed new amendments to the restrictions under its Traffic Control Bylaw banning long vehicles from these two rural routes, following the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle on our roading network.
You can read more including some FAQs on this here.
Meetings and Community Board updates
The February Thames, Whangamatā and Tairua-Pāuanui Community Board meetings will take place next week after being rescheduled due to Cyclone Gabrielle.
Further details on meetings and agendas here.
Thames Community Board ‘meet and greet’ at Thames Market
The weather was superb last Saturday (25 February) for the inaugural Thames Community Board ‘meet and greet’ with the general public at Thames Market.
“Those who stopped to speak really appreciated the chance to voice their ideas, concerns and compliments and we made 12 separate entries in our diary that we will follow up on,” says Thames Community Board Deputy Chair Rob Johnston.
These ‘meet and greet’ sessions (with two Community Board elected members in attendance) are planned to happen on a fortnightly basis at Thames Market on Saturday mornings from around 10am. The next one is planned for Saturday 11 March. The Community Board table will be set up under the canopy at Twentymans Funeral Services, Pollen St.
Come on down to the market and say hello.
Our District Libraries update
Check out what's happening this March:
- New event - 'Let's get crafty after school' at Tairua Library
- Ongoing events at all three of our District Libraries for all ages
- Most-requested titles of 2023 so far
Read more here.
Coromandel Arts and Creative Industries Strategy Review
Creative Coromandel continue the last of their hui to discuss the feedback on the Coromandel Arts and Creative Industries Strategy review.
See more here.
Adult cycle skills
Register now for our free cycle skills courses for both bikes and e-bikes.
- Thames – Thursday 16 March
There are a limited number of spaces available, booking is essential.
Find out more here.
Dogs in our pound
We currently have two male dogs in our pound, both looking for their forever homes.
Find out more about them here.
Pāuanui water shutdown postponed
The water shutdown scheduled on Monday 6 March for Sheppard Avenue and Vista Paku, Pāuanui has had to be postponed due to another urgent maintenance issue. We will keep residents informed of the new date which will be later next week on our Facebook page and website.
Funding HQ free workshop
Do you want to learn how to navigate your way to fundraising success in these challenging economic times? Then join Funding HQ's webinar on Monday 6 March from 12:30pm-1:30pm and experience first-hand some of the great content they offer.
If you are interested in joining, please register here. Alternatively, if you can’t make it and would like a recording, let them know and they can arrange a recording to be sent out to you.
District Licensing Committee
Great decision-making skills? Former alcohol licensing experience?
We are calling for applications from people interested in being part of our Thames-Coromandel District Licensing Committee (DLC). The Committee is responsible for making decisions on all alcohol licences and manager certificates in the Thames-Coromandel area.
Find out more here.
Work with us
Are you ready to change your scene? Our Council is hiring now and we have opportunities for engineers, planners, administrators and more.
Flexible working, fantastic culture and great lifestyle.
View current job vacancies here.