News from the Thames-Coromandel District Council Taking a closer look at rates e’ve committed to providing Pauanui two and was not prepared to split the ward are natural life cycles with towns, and as Wand ratepayers with an in-depth into different rating areas. towns age, they will have big needs in future. report on how rates money is allocated “The Council didn’t want to go down the If you widen it out to decades you are going between the two communities. path of creating community angst through a to see that the expenditure requirements formal rates split when we can use manage- tend to even out.” When faced with a request from the Tairua- ment tools for allocating spending,” says Pauanui Community Board to proceed with Chief Executive David Hammond. A dedicated team of staff is working on the formal consultation for a rates separation, tools available to create changes that will the full Council instead sought more discus- “We believe most places can move forward ensure a fair system for the towns. sion on how costs are allocated between the together. It’s worth remembering that there Community about to get say on The Great Walk “I still find each day too short for all the Draft District Plan thoughts I want to think, all the walks I ou can now have input into how you think can easily be changed because it’s a draft. want to take, all the books I want to read, Yland around the Coromandel is managed It’s a means for setting goals and constraints and all the friends I want to see.” and used. about what people can do on their land, so - John Burroughs the Coromandel stays a great place to live. Our Draft District Plan was released for We’re joining the dots on a map of the you to comment on. We’ve taken particular We’ve arranged open days where our Coromandel as part of our goal to develop care to ensure the new draft District Plan planning staff will be available to talk and a world-class walking and cycle track that can protect the qualities that makes the remember we need to hear about what you would become the 10th Great Walk of New Coromandel special. Themes include would like to see kept from the current heritage , coastal landscapes, rezoning of District Plan as well as what you think Zealand. land, mining and contaminated land. should change. Our area manager Garry Towler is in the The proposed version will be released For more information go to our website early stages of developing The Peninsula for formal submissions mid-next year, www.tcdc.govt.nz/dpr Walkway, a concept to drive tourism by incorporating your feedback. The Draft Plan taking in the scenic and historic highlights of the Coromandel using existing tracks and Hikuwai Ti Kouka Grove developing new ones. A few months back, staff from the Regional Council put together a funding Council has determined the level of support application to the Ministry for the Environment with input from TCDC so we can restore a from important stakeholders such as the De- large area of the cabbage tree forest reserve alongside in . partment of Conservation, and we’re work- We hope to know this month if we were successful, in which case we can start planning ing closely with local groups already heavily work to clear a large area of weed species and replant with native plants. involved in the development and mainte- nance of tracks around the Coromandel. As part of this project we’ve asked for ideas on the naming of this reserve, which is in an area of cultural significance to local iwi. The suggestion came back from Reremoana Jones “These groups hold the answer to much of in Tairua for the name Hikuwai Ti Kouka Grove. the success of any ‘Great Walk’ on the Coro- Hikuwai means tail of the river, and Ti Kouka is the Maori name for Cabbage Tree, mandel,” says Garry. “We’d still like to hear Cordyline australis. from anyone involved in any walk group, reserve group or who just has an interest in We’ve got plans for more work including signage explaining the importance of the place the project to get in touch with us.” for our community, our Tangata Whenua and as a habitat for native biodiversity. It has so far been a great collaboration and we hope together we can do more to make this an even It’s no surprise to hear that certain fantastic better place to protect and enjoy. Tairua and Pauanui residents have featured prominently in the discus- sions so far. Pohutukawa Festival Local Highlights If you’d like to be involved Friday 30 November - 2 December is the Chocolate Festival at Tairua and Pauanui. Let your in the ‘joining of the dots’ imagination go wild on CHOCOLATE: Chocolate Body Painting; Edible Arts competition; Chocolatey Menus exercise that’s taking place in participating eateries; Chocolate Degustation Dinner; Cup Cake Workshop; Chocolate Beer Affair; in these early stages, con- Chocolate Beer and Spirits Tasting; Chocolate Fruity Fondue; Big Chocolate Fish Kids Fishy Competition; tact Garry Towler or Alison Chocolate Wrestling, and many more. Programmes at Pauanui and Tairua Information Centres - Pauanui Smith at TCDC on Ph 07 864 7101 and Tairua Ph 07 864 7575 or visit www.pohutukawafestival.co.nz Ph 07 868 0200.

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