Inside the Ten Year Plan Strongercoromandel Working Together to Build the Future 2

News and information from the Thames-Coromandel District Council

Autumn 2012

In this issue: Inside the Ten Year Plan StrongerCoromandel Working together to build the future 2 www.tcdc.govt.nz/ourcoromandel ......

Mayor and Councillors . . . 8 Community Boards . . . . 9 Chief Executive ...... 10 Organisational review ...... 11 Wharf decision ...... 13 Building changes . . . . . 14 Contents Waste water plant . . . . . 16 ECHO Walking Festival . . . 18 Plans to halve waste . . . . 21 Tourism ...... 23 Main feature: Road rule changes . . . . . 24 Rail Trail ...... 25 NZ Book Month ...... 26 2012-2022 Draft Pool tops audit ...... 30 Walkway ‘on track’ . . . . 31 Ten Year Plan Twitter ...... 32 Mercury Bay Sports Park . . 34 highlights, dates Hands that built Pauanui . . 35 Community Awards . . . . 36 and FAQs Council’s new iPad app . . 37 p. 4 Meeting calendar . . . . . 39 Autumn rubbish schedule . 40

Find out how to get short chirpy Council updates on Twitter! p. 32 OurCoromandel is published quarterly by Thames-Coromandel District Council.

Email: [email protected] www.tcdc.govt.nz/ourcoromandel NZ Book Month Postal Address: special feature OurCoromandel The Communications Team p. 26 Thames-Coromandel District Council Private Bag, Thames 3540 ��www.tcdc.govt.nz/ourcoromandel 3

Welcome We’re excited about the decade ahead but we know it won’t be easy. It’s our commitment to partner with communities and build a prosperous, liveable and clean and green district here on the Coromandel. One of the themes of our 2012-2022 draft Tairua water treatment plants and Ten Year Plan is the impact of a lasting Whitianga Town Centre upgrade, our recession. We know the community is focus is on quality, appropriate and hurting, and we must face this situation. affordable infrastructure. With the reality It’s a balancing act to grasp opportunities of the age of infrastructure in our towns, for building prosperity while resetting we need to share the costs of these our financial foundations. We cannot upgrades together. launch forward with ambitious Our draft Ten Year Plan outlines some development aspirations without being $324.9 million of capital expenditure. confident in our financial base. We’ve reduced a number of projects Economic development remains a to channel funding into infrastructure priority to us. Our support of the growth renewal and have had to prepare for of the aquaculture industry, Destination tough spending choices. Coromandel, information centres and We encourage you to read through the local economic development initiatives Plan and give feedback to work with us will return real value to ratepayers in the to build a stronger Coromandel. form of new jobs and greater business turnover. Rather than leading it ourselves by spending rates revenue, we will foster a Council that helps the business community trade its way out of recession. New infrastructure must still be His Worship The Mayor, considered in the decade ahead. From Glenn Leach the Thames Valley and Matatoki water supply upgrades to the Pauanui and 4 www.tcdc.govt.nz/ourcoromandel ...... 2012 Ten Year Plan Consultation Period 5 March—2 April 2012

Help us build a

Major highlights in the draft

The Council is f inalising the draft Ten Essential services Year Plan as we speak. You will be able to f ind out more details soon by 99invest in new water supplies or reading either the summary or full treatment in Thames, the Thames version of the draft plan. Valley, Matatoki, Tairua and Pauanui Here are some of the areas we're looking at: Big ticket items over 10 years 99 Economic development support a town centre upgrade for Whitianga 99increase support for Destination 99support new sports facilities in Coromandel and local economic Thames and Mercury Bay development agencies 99support a new community centre in 99expand wharf ing infrastructure to Pauanui support the aquaculture industry 99support a new swimming pool and 99change our Rates Remission skate park in Thames Policy to encourage Economic Development

F ind out more at www.strongercoromandel.com Changes to fees and charges Changes to the funding of 99introduce charges for trade waste ‘essential services’ 99introduce fees and charges at the To make things fairer, the Council is Pauanui Airf ield considering changing the funding of 99increase dog registration fees ‘essential services’ to a district-wide basis (not from local rates but paid 99increase the cost of rubbish bags from district rates). Essential services include; water supply, wastewater, Reductions or delaying projects stormwater, district transportation 99reduce the level of service for the (roads etc) and solid waste stormwater activity (rubbish services etc). 99no longer provide new footpaths unless they attract a subsidy on Development Contributions safety grounds Policy also out for consultation 99no longer provide funding for We are proposing some changes to the community owned and managed Development Contributions Policy to halls of Te Rerenga, Hikutaia, streamline administration and also Kauaeranga Valley, Puriri, Matatoki invite your submissions on this. and Wharepoa 99change the timing of a number of projects across a range of activities

When are the hearings? What happens next? Your Councillors will consider all of the submissions and then Thames – Friday, 11 May 2012 decide on any amendments to in the Council Chambers, Thames the draft and then adopt (sign- Coromandel/Colville – Wednesday, 9 May 2012 off) the Ten Year Plan by 30 June at the Coromandel Service Centre 2012 at a Council meeting. Mercury Bay – Monday, 7 May 2012 at the Mercury Bay Service Centre, Whitianga How can I stay up-to- Tairua/Pauanui – Thursday, 10 May 2012 date with Council’s f inal at the Lakes Resort, Pauanui decisions? Whangamata – Tuesday, 8 May 2012 Sign up to receive our eNewsletter at the Whangamata Service Centre at www.tcdc.govt.nz/subscribe 6 www.tcdc.govt.nz/ourcoromandel ...... 2012 Ten Year Plan

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

What is a Ten Year Plan? How can I “Have My Say” about Every three years local authorities, in the draft plan? consultation with their communities, We want to hear from you about our put together a new Ten Year Plan that draft plan and invite you to “make a describes the goals of the Council submission” (this is just a form to write over the next ten years and how the on so you can tell us what you think) Council plans to achieve them. after reading the Ten Year Plan summary. We will have summaries and submission forms available at all of our District How can I read the draft plan? Libraries and Service Centres, or we From 5 March 2012, you will be able to read can send one out to you. You will also a summary of the plan or the full version at be able to make a submission online www.strongercoromandel.com. You at www.strongercoromandel.com. can request a copy to be sent to you by calling 07-868-0200 or emailing us at [email protected]. What’s a Hearing? nz. Copies will also be available at all If you have sent in a written submission, District Libraries and Service Centres. you can also choose to present it at a meeting called a Hearing. At one of these meetings, your elected members will listen What about changes to my rates? to you present your submission in person. Visit www.strongercoromandel.com to If you don’t want to present your thoughts f ind out what affect the draft plan might at a Hearing, that’s ok too. Your elected have on your rates (in year one) compared members will receive a copy of every to your rates this f inancial year. For more submission to read as well. The public can information please read the draft plan or attend the Hearings to watch proceedings. summary document.

What do the three icons mean? You’ll also note in the plan that activity groups will show the extent they contribute to these outcomes by the number of related elements beside each icon. In that way, it’s like the star rating concept used by tourism operators. So a green icon The three icons represent the three main with five leaves next to it, for instance, outcomes Council is working to achieve: means the activity group has a five star A clean, green district, a prosperous clean green rating when judged against its district and a liveable district. contribution toward Council’s objectives. 7 www.tcdc.govt.nz/ourcoromandel ...... Average rates by Community Board area These are AVERAGES. You will either be less or more. To find out how you compare, go to http://web.tcdc.govt.nz/ratescalculator/ Ϯ͕ϲϵϲΨ Ϯ͕ϳϳϰΨ Ϯ͕ϲϱϰΨ ϯ͕ϬϵϴΨ Ϯ͕ϲϰϵΨ Ϯ͕ϲϲϯΨ Ϯ͕ϳϮϰΨ Ϯ͕ϲϭϳΨ ϯ͕ϬϯϴΨ Ϯ͕ϲϭϰΨ Ϭ͘ϵϬй ϭ͘ϯϲй ϭ͘ϮϮй Ϯ͕ϲϮϴΨ Ϯ͕ϲϴϱΨ Ϯ͕ϱϳϯΨ Ϯ͕ϵϱϮΨ Ϯ͕ϱϳϴΨ ϭ͘Ϯϱй ϭ͘ϳϬй ϭ͘ϰϯй Ϭ͘ϵϰй ϭ͘ϯϴй ϭ͘ϯϯй ϭ͘Ϭϲй ϭ͘ϰϲй ϭ͘ϴϮй ϭ͘ϭϱй Ϯ͘ϵϬй ϭ͘ϵϳй Ϯ͕ϲϬϰΨ Ϯ͕ϲϱϳΨ Ϯ͕ϱϰϮΨ Ϯ͕ϵϭϵΨ Ϯ͕ϱϱϱΨ Ͳ Ϭ͘ϯϱй Ͳ Ϭ͘ϱϴй Ͳ Ϭ͘ϳϲй Ͳ Ϭ͘Ϯϴй Ͳ Ϭ͘ϱϬй Ϯ͕ϲϭϯΨ Ϯ͕ϲϲϰΨ Ϯ͕ϱϱϲΨ Ϯ͕ϵϯϯΨ Ϯ͕ϱϳϰΨ Ϯ͕ϱϱϭΨ Ϯ͕ϲϬϭΨ Ϯ͕ϰϵϯΨ Ϯ͕ϴϲϰΨ Ϯ͕ϱϭϴΨ Ϯ͕ϰϳϮΨ Ϯ͕ϱϭϭΨ Ϯ͕ϰϮϱΨ Ϯ͕ϳϰϵΨ Ϯ͕ϰϰϵΨ Ϯ͕ϯϴϮΨ Ϯ͕ϰϮϴΨ Ϯ͕ϯϭϵΨ Ϯ͕ϲϰϰΨ Ϯ͕ϯϲϲΨ Ϯ͕ϮϵϮΨ Ϯ͕ϯϯϱΨ Ϯ͕ϮϯϵΨ Ϯ͕ϱϯϱΨ Ϯ͕ϮϲϱΨ Ϯ͘ϳϵй ϯ͘ϵϲй ϯ͘ϰϮй ϯ͘ϱϴй Ϯ͘ϰϰй ϯ͘ϴϴй ϰ͘Ϯϳй ϰ͘ϬϬй ϰ͘ϭϲй Ϯ͘ϰϮй ϱ͘Ϭϳй Ϯ͘ϴϭй ϯ͘ϵϰй ϯ͘ϳϱй ϯ͘ϮϬй Ϯ͘ϰϲй Ϯ͕ϮϮϵΨ Ϯ͕ϮϳϮΨ Ϯ͕ϭϲϵΨ Ϯ͕ϰϰϭΨ Ϯ͕ϮϭϭΨ ϰ͘ϳϰй ϯ͘Ϯϭй ϯ͘ϱϵй ϰ͘ϱϰй Ϯ͘ϴϮй Ϯ͘ϱϱй ϭ͘ϵϱй Ϯ͘ϰϱй ϰ͘ϰϳй ϯ͘ϱϭй Ϯ͘ϴϬй Ϯ͘Ϯϯй Ͳ Ϭ͘ϭϯй Ͳ ϯ͘ϮϬй tĂƌĚ tĂƌĚ tĂƌĚ tĂƌĚ Ϯ͕ϭϮϮΨ Ϯ͕ϮϳϱΨ Ϯ͕ϬϳϭΨ Ϯ͕ϱϮϮΨ Ϯ͕ϭϲϴΨ ϮϬϭϭ ϮϬϭϮ ϮϬϭϯϮϬϭϭ ϮϬϭϰ ϮϬϭϮ ϮϬϭϱ ϮϬϭϯ ϮϬϭϲϮϬϭϭ ϮϬϭϰ ϮϬϭϳ ϮϬϭϮ ϮϬϭϱ ϮϬϭϴ ϮϬϭϯ ϮϬϭϲ ϮϬϭϵϮϬϭϭ ϮϬϭϰ ϮϬϭϳ ϮϬϮϬ ϮϬϭϮ ϮϬϭϱ ϮϬϭϴ ϮϬϮϭ ϮϬϭϯ ϮϬϭϲ ϮϬϭϵϮϬϭϭ ϮϬϭϰ ϮϬϭϳ ϮϬϮϬ ϮϬϭϮ ϮϬϭϱ ϮϬϭϴ ϮϬϮϭ ϮϬϭϯ ϮϬϭϲ ϮϬϭϵ ϮϬϭϰ ϮϬϭϳ ϮϬϮϬ ϮϬϭϱ ϮϬϭϴ ϮϬϮϭ ϮϬϭϲ ϮϬϭϵ ϮϬϭϳ ϮϬϮϬ ϮϬϭϴ ϮϬϮϭ ϮϬϭϵ ϮϬϮϬ ϮϬϮϭ ĂǇ DĞƌĐƵƌǇ dĂŝƌƵĂͬWĂƵĂŶƵŝ tŚĂŶŐĂŵĂƚĂ dŚĂŵĞƐ tĂƌĚ ŽƌŽŵĂŶĚĞů ǀ͘ƌĂƚĞ ĂŵŽƵŶƚ ǀ͘ ƌĂƚĞ ŝŶĐƌĞĂƐĞƐ ǀ͘ƌĂƚĞ ĂŵŽƵŶƚ ǀ͘ ƌĂƚĞ ŝŶĐƌĞĂƐĞƐ ǀ͘ƌĂƚĞ ĂŵŽƵŶƚ ǀ͘ ƌĂƚĞ ŝŶĐƌĞĂƐĞƐ ǀ͘ƌĂƚĞ ĂŵŽƵŶƚ ǀ͘ ƌĂƚĞ ŝŶĐƌĞĂƐĞƐ ǀ͘ƌĂƚĞ ĂŵŽƵŶƚ ǀ͘ ƌĂƚĞ ŝŶĐƌĞĂƐĞƐ Mercury Bay Community Board Area Community Board Area Tairua-Pauanui Community BoardWhangamata Area Thames Community Board Area Community BoardCoromandel Area Average Rates Increase Average 8 www.tcdc.govt.nz/ourcoromandel ......

Deputy Mayor Councillor Peter French Murray McLean JP Mercury Bay Ward Thames Ward Mercury Bay Community Board Thames Community Board

Coromandel -Colville Mayor and Councillor Councillor Tony Fox Tony Brljevich Mercury Bay Mercury Bay Ward Coromandel-Colville Ward Mercury Bay Community Board CouncillorsCoromandel-Colville Community Board Councillor Councillor Wyn Hoadley QSO Jack Wells Thames Ward South Eastern Ward Thames Community Board Whangamata Community Board Tairua-Pauanui Community Board

His Worship The Mayor, Councillor Thames South Eastern Councillor Diane Connors Jan Bartley Glenn Leach Thames Ward South Eastern Ward [email protected] Thames Community Board Whangamata Community Board Tairua-Pauanui Community Board

Deputy Mayor Councillor Peter French Murray McLean JP Thames Ward Mercury Bay Ward Thames Community Board Mercury Bay Community Board [email protected] [email protected]

Councillor Councillor Tony Brljevich Tony Fox Coromandel-Colville Ward Mercury Bay Ward Coromandel-Colville Community Board Mercury Bay Community Board [email protected] [email protected]

Councillor Councillor Wyn Hoadley QSO Jack Wells Thames Ward South Eastern Ward Thames Community Board Whangamata Community Board [email protected] Tairua-Pauanui Community Board [email protected] Councillor Diane Connors Councillor Thames Ward Jan Bartley Thames Community Board South Eastern Ward [email protected] Whangamata Community Board Tairua-Pauanui Community Board [email protected] ��www.tcdc.govt.nz/ourcoromandel 9 Community Boards

Coromandel-Colville Mercury Bay

John Walker (Chair) Alison Henry (Chair) 07 866 7194 [email protected] 07 866 0020 Kim Brett [email protected] Sheree Webster 07 866 7242 [email protected]

Anne Ward June Bennett 07 866 6774 [email protected] 07 866 5996 Keith Stephenson [email protected] Paul Hopkins 07 866 8613 [email protected] 07 866 5786

Tairua-Pauanui Whangamata Thames

Bob Renton (Chair) Keith Johnston (Chair) Strat Peters (Chair) [email protected] 021 201 3463 [email protected] 07 864 9916 07 8689975

Barry Swindles Peter Kerr Lester George Yates [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 07 864 8169 07 865 6062 027 492 0243

Christopher Cooper Mary Taylor Mark Bridgman [email protected] [email protected] 07 868 7273 07 864 9990 07 865 9000 Justine Baverstock Gloria Giles Helen McCabe [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 027 434 1565 07 864 9497 0272 865 709 10 www.tcdc.govt.nz/ourcoromandel ...... Meet our new Chief Executive

Our new Chief Executive was officially welcomed at a Powhiri in the Council Chambers in February. Representatives of Council and tangata i te marama nei. Ka hui tahi katoa nga whenua (Pare Hauraki) welcomed mema no te kaunihera me nga rangatira David Hammond no Parehauraki to his new role as ki te whakatau i a Chief Executive David Hammond of the Thames- ki runga ano i Coromandel District tona turanga Council. hou, hei tumuaki no te kaunihera. Speakers led by Waati Ngamane Ko Waati provided a Ngamane no good-humoured Ngati Maru te introduction to the kaihautu i runga i new Chief Executive te taumata, nona and David Hammmond responded with a ano te whaikorero whakangahau ki te well-received speech in te reo Maori. tumuaki hou nei, a, ka whakahokia te mihi whakatau e David Hammond i roto I powhiritia te tumuaki hou no te ano i Te Reo Maori. Thames-Coromandel District Council ��www.tcdc.govt.nz/ourcoromandel 11

Organisational Review update

Council Chief Executive David Hammond released an organisational review proposal to Council staff in February. The proposed structure has been Thames being 20% higher still, which designed to facilitate the achievement is a theme that can’t be ignored in our of the Council’s Mission and Vision. review of the organisation.” The major objectives of the review The Council currently employs 191 are to speed up decision-making, staff. The proposal directly affects streamline accountabilities, create approximately 42 positions and more community empowerment and to proposes to create some 13 new roles. review the scope of Council activities Final numbers will not be known until given the prolonged recession. Council the end of the process. is also reviewing ways it can deliver “The organisational structure is only a more of its services that it currently small part of a bigger review of Council outsources to consultants. expenditure. We are also looking at “We have to do more with less; we proposals for a 5% and 10% reduction also have to deliver higher levels of in operating budgets as well.” customer satisfaction and community Staff have been invited to make empowerment, which may mean submissions on the proposal. A final increasing resources and staff decision will be made by the Chief delegations to Area Offices,” explains Executive in mid-late March. Chief Executive David Hammond. “I have already received excellent The proposal sees a boost to area offices feedback from staff, with many on the front line, less back-office jobs proposals coming in to improve in Thames and fewer management effectiveness and efficiency and to positions. “TCDC rates are 14% above reduce the use of consultants with the national average with the rates in better use of existing staff.” Aquaculture

It’s our recreation. Our food. Our passion. Our whakapapa. Our mahi kai. Could it build a stronger Coromandel? Our Ten Year Plan proposes to increase our focus on aquaculture. Have your say. Make a submission.* StrongerCoromandel Working together to build our economy

* Submissions close at 4:00 PM Monday 2 April 2012. Go to www.strongercoromandel.com ��www.tcdc.govt.nz/ourcoromandel 13

Wharf decision All options for wharf location will be considered by Council on 18 April. The Hauraki-Coromandel Economic Next steps Development Group recently completed The recommendation made by the its report on the location options for Hauraki-Coromandel Development a new wharf on the Coromandel and Group is not necessarily the option recommended extending the existing Council staff will recommend to elected wharf at Sugarloaf, near Coromandel members. Town. Council staff will consider the following The Council will make a final decision issues before writing a final report and on the location at the Council meeting recommending a preferred option: scheduled on 18 April. • The Hauraki-Coromandel “Production from wild fisheries has Development Group report been static since the mid-1990s and aquaculture has been supplying the • Cultural assessment report (still growing demand for seafood, and the under development) demand is set to soar. The industry • The views and submissions of currently operates from Sugarloaf, and stakeholders it’s close to capacity now, so the status- quo isn’t feasible long term,” said Mayor • More information and investigation Glenn Leach. of the ‘windy point’ (Puhi Rare) option, as requested by Te Kouma “We’re interested in leading this project residents because economic development is a major priority for this Council, but we Go to www.tcdc.govt.nz/aquaculture for are also best placed to facilitate a win- more information and to download the win outcome for the greater-good of our options report. You can also subscribe community.” to the aquaculture project eNewsletter at www.tcdc.govt.nz/subscribe. “While the Development Group recommends Sugarloaf, we as a Council need to look at the options again to make sure all of our communities are taken into consideration and we make the right decision for the district and the local ward.” 14 www.tcdc.govt.nz/ourcoromandel ...... Restricted Building Works now in force

Spotlight on primary structure and external weather-tightness Under the Government’s Restricted Restricted building work also includes Building Work (RBW) scheme all aspects the design of fire safety systems for of design and construction critical to small to medium apartment buildings. the integrity of a residential building Existing building regulations require must be carried out or supervised by several other trades including drain designers and builders who have been layers and electricians to supply independently assessed as competent, certificates of their work as part of the these people are called a Licensed building consent process. Building Practitioner. Under Government Restricted Building Work legislation all builders, RBW can only be carried out brick and block layers, external or supervised by a Licensed plasterers, roofers and anyone else involved in work on the Building Practitioner (LBP). primary structure and the external weather-tightness systems — including those It will fall on our building inspectors to designing these aspects of a build — will ensure contractors on site are licensed. have to produce a certificate for their From 1 March 2012, the council has the work. authority to stop a project and issue infringements if unlicensed people carry Our council inspectors have been out this restricted building work. trained in the requirements of the scheme. Additional delays in processing We also won’t be able to accept an timeframes are not expected but application if it hasn’t been designed or there will be slightly lengthier on-site at least signed off by a suitably qualified inspections. person. ��www.tcdc.govt.nz/ourcoromandel 15

How does this affect you? If you are undertaking a renovation or new build we advise that you check your designers have their license or at the very least have applied for it. Licensed Building Practitioners Remember, if you apply for a building consent from now, you must make sure that the practitioners you use are correctly licensed to carry out the work. Licensed Building Practitioners include: • designers • external plasterers • carpenters • brick and blocklayers • roofers • foundations specialists

Professional engineers, architects, plumbers and gasfitters are treated as Licensed Building Practitioners and can carry out some Restricted Building Work. If you apply for a building consent now, your building design must be done by a licensed designer, a registered architect or a chartered professional engineer.

Restricted fire season

Permits are required. Call 07 868 0200. 16 www.tcdc.govt.nz/ourcoromandel ...... Wastewater Plant Myth Busters

Treatment, storage and disposal of wastewater is a science and in Whangamata it goes through a number of processes before being safely disposed of into pine forests located just outside of town. Here’s more information on an asset and even illness. It’s for these reasons that ratepayers have invested in and that humans began collecting and which has continued to perform treating their waste at the turn of the exceptionally well since it began 20th century. operating two years ago. How our system works Firstly, what is wastewater? Wastewater is screened and treated in a Wastewater is liquid and solid material process known as Intermittent Decant that go down the drain and into our Extended Aeration (IDEA). wastewater network from homes and businesses. In this process, the liquid effluent is treated to a very high standard. The Wastewater is typically made up of 95 treated wastewater is then pumped, per cent pure H2O. via a lined storage pond, into the However, it’s the other five per cent that Whangamata Forest. can cause pollution, odour nuisance, ��www.tcdc.govt.nz/ourcoromandel 17

Capacity of the system additional load of a major storm event in the calculated flows. It’s important to understand there’s a major difference betweennetwork Benefits of the system capacity (the town’s pipe network), Treated wastewater from Pauanui, treatment capacity (the capacity of Whangamata and Whitianga the plant to treat varying volumes of is amongst the highest quality waste), storage capacity (the amount produced in New Zealand and we’ve of available storage in the ponds), and won national environmental and irrigation capacity (the amount of engineering accolades for this project. treated wastewater that can be sprayed into the forest in a day). Anniversary Weekend 2011 Understandably, these have often been The Coromandel Peninsula was hit by confused. Cyclone Wilma which led to land slips, blocked roads, and minor overflows of Treatment capacity wastewater and stormwater networks. Plants have what is known as peak wet It should be noted that issues weather capacity and peak dry weather experienced during the storm were capacity. solely within the town pipe network Wet weather capacity is typically and due to inundation of stormwater greater than dry weather capacity as into the wastewater system. the influent is less concentrated in wet The treatment process remained weather, when more stormwater enters unaffected and the quality of water the wastewater network. irrigated into the forest remained at This New Year - and amidst more than the very high standard required by the 100mm of rain - the Whangamata Regional Council. plant reached only 59% of its peak wet Cyclone Wilma was classified as a one- weather capacity, and only 59% of its in-100-year rain event (300mm+ over dry weather capacity once the rain had 24 hours). cleared. Town pipe networks are not typically Only 38% of total storage capacity designed to cater for such events was used, and additional areas of the as the construction cost would be Forest have been identified for future unwarranted due to the infrequent irrigation. occurrence of such events. The combined system caters for a peak population in 20 years time with the 18 www.tcdc.govt.nz/ourcoromandel ......

April marks the ninth annual ECHO (Enjoy Connecting Hills and Oceans) Walking Festival and all registered walkers in 2012 will enter a prize draw to win one of the following accommodation prizes: • Whiritoa • Tangiaro Kiwi Retreat • Aroha Mountain Lodge • Poets Corner Lodge • Pinnacles Hut OR Crosbies Hut • Katikati Bird Gardens More prizes on offer to be announced soon at www.echowalkfest.org.nz. ��www.tcdc.govt.nz/ourcoromandel 19

Photo Competition Capture the essence of the ECHO Walking Festival!! The ECHO Walking Festival walks take Prizes on offer are: you to some of the most beautiful and • 1st Prize - $100 Cash scenic spots in the Kaimai/Coromandel • 2nd prize - $50 Cash area. This year, organisers are offering a • 3rd Prize - $25 Cash photo competition to all participants. Details at www.echowalkfest.org.nz

2012 Walks Simplified grade guide1 Most fitness levels, 3 Moderate fitness, 5 Very fit Date Walk Location Grade Tuesday 10 Following the Dreams of the Cornish Miners Paeroa 4 Tuesday 10 Otanewainuku PuzzleSouth Kaimai 1-2 Tuesday 10 Hellooooo Mr. Weta Thames 1 Wednesday 11 Union Hill Moon Walk Waihi 2-3 Wednesday 11 Dam those Kauri’s Katikati 2 Thursday 12 “Falls for Dinner” Walk Paeroa 1 Friday 13 Paeroa to Waitekauri Packhorse Track Paeroa 5 Friday 13 Waihi Express Waihi 1 Saturday 14 Be Sure of a Wet Surprise Katikati 1 Saturday 14 Coromandel Coastal Walkway Whitianga 4 Saturday 14 Into the Valley - Waiorongomai Discovery Te Aroha 5 Sunday 15 She’ll Be Coming Round The Mountain Paeroa 5 Sunday 15 Conveyor Belt Boogie Waihi 3 Monday 16 Te Aroha Glow Worms Te Aroha 2 Monday 16 Cook’s Discovery Whitianga 2 Tuesday 17 Broken Hills Whitianga 3 Tuesday 17 Waiorongomai Rails and Trails Te Aroha 3 Wednesday 18 Whitianganui a Kupe Whitianga 1-2 Wednesday 18 The Adventures of Mt Eliza Katikati 4 Thursday 19 Cathedral Cove Whitianga 4 Thursday 19 Aongatete MysterySouth Kaimai 2-3 Thursday 19 Wairere Falls to Te Tuhi Te Aroha 5 Friday 20 Wentworth Valley Falls Whitianga 3 Friday 20 Cookson Kauri Thames 2-3 Friday 20 Dubbo to Dickie’s Flat Paeroa 3-4 Saturday 21 Mining Days - Journey Back in Time Paeroa 2 Saturday 21 Hot Springs Domain to Tui Mine - Return Te Aroha 4-5 Saturday 21 Orokawa Bay to William Wright Falls Waihi 4 Sunday 22 Magnificent Muriwai Thames 2-3 Sunday 22 Tides Out & The Beach Has Gone To The Dogs Katikati 1 Protect plants and animals Remove rubbish Keep streams and lakes clean Camp carefully Keep to the track Consider others Respect our cultural heritage Toitu te whenua (leave the land undisturbed) �� www.tcdc.govt.nz/ourcoromandelwww.tcdc.govt.nz/ourcoromandel 2121 Waste to halve Ambitious plan approved that aims to cut in half the waste going to landfill. On February 29 we adopted the Eastern benefit with re-use centres, food waste Waikato Waste Management And collections and commercial recycling Minimisation Plan — a joint plan of collections. This will be staged over a action to work with two other Councils 10-year period that calculates down in our area in reducing what ends up in kilograms per household as we go. landfill. “It’s an ambitious plan and there’s The Eastern Waikato Waste some really good stuff in it,” says Management and Minimisation Plan Operations Manager Greg Hampton. was developed in consultation with the “We’ve set new waste volume targets community and science behind it. for each household and per population The result is a plan of action in which which are based on targeting specific individuals and community groups can components of the waste stream. play a bigger part. “The ultimate aim is to almost halve A joint services contract for collections the waste going to landfill from our from July 2013 will be tendered later district by 2022. This aims to achieve a this year and will include individual 69% waste diversion rate.” goals and targets for each council. We’ll continue to take the lead with We believe we can save money and specific initiatives in key services like do more to reduce waste over the next kerbside collections, drop-off facilities 10 years if we work together on other and transfer station operations. initiatives set out in this plan of action. Howver, individuals, businesses and The aim is to minimise waste that goes community groups will also have to landfill and maximise community important roles to play.

��www.tcdc.govt.nz/ourcoromandel 23 Tourism going well on the Coromandel The Coromandel rose above the rest of New Zealand to take out New Zealanders’ favourite domestic holiday destination in 2011 while at the same time it emerged as your favourite holiday getaway destination for 2012. A Herald-DigiPoll survey found 22.2 per feels a million miles away. cent of those polled chose it as their “The region is an accessible and favourite holiday location. affordable destination which offers The AA’s Summer Travel Survey also a variety of accommodation and resulted with The Coromandel being recreational activities’. With a large the favourite destination. This poll percentage of absentee ratepayers the was conducted through the Go-See- influx in visitors during the summer Discover monthly newsletter which has period is considerably large, but the a subscriber base of over 94,000. region has the infrastructure to support it.” Destination Coromandel’s CEO, Jim Archibald acknowledges “We’ve known With the wet and inclement weather for some time that The Coromandel is that the Coromandel endured over New Zealander’s Favourite domestic the Christmas New Year period, many holiday getaway; it’s great to finally see activity providers have seen a decrease it recognized via the polls. in numbers, however with the weather affecting most of New Zealand, it “Every year we have a large increase appears the majority of people have in domestic arrivals, especially from decided to tough it out and come on the neighbouring regions of Auckland, over regardless, meaning the majority Waikato and Bay of Plenty, and while a of accommodation providers have large number are youth, each year we managed to maintain bookings. are seeing a larger increase in families. For more information about the “The Coromandel is only a short Coromandel, visit: drive from the likes of Auckland and Hamilton and yet when you’re here it www.thecoromandel.com 24 www.tcdc.govt.nz/ourcoromandel ...... Road rule changes At 5am on Sunday 25 March 2012, two of the give way rules change. Change 1: The left turn versus Change 2: At uncontrolled right turn rule T-intersections (‘uncontrolled’ means when there are no signs or signals.) From 5am on 25 March 2012, this new rule will require all traffic turning right At an uncontrolled T-intersection, all to give way to a vehicle coming from the traffic from a terminating road (bottom opposite direction and turning left. of the T) will have to give way to all traffic on a continuing road (top of This only applies at cross roads, the T). This will bring it into line with T-intersections and driveways where: T-intersections where there are Stop or • both vehicles are facing each other Give Way signs on the terminating road. with no signs or signals (neither This rule change will also apply to vehicle is controlled) uncontrolled driveways, such as at a • both vehicles are facing give way supermarket or hospital. From 5am on signs 25 March 2012 the traffic exiting the • both vehicles are facing stop signs driveway will need to give way to all • both vehicles are facing green traffic on the road. traffic signals All vehicles entering or exiting a Example facing no sign or signal: driveway must continue to give way to pedestrians on a footpath, or cyclists and pedestrians on a cycle path or shared path. Drivers should not pull out to block the footpath in front of pedestrians and cyclists. ��www.tcdc.govt.nz/ourcoromandel 25

Rail Trail on track The construction of the cycleway is well underway and on target for completion by May 2012. Paeroa - Paeroa – Kopu Te Aroha Track construction The track has started. This is construction due for completion is complete. on 20 April (delays All bridges aside). The bridges (11) have been are expected to be completed. complete by the end Fencing is of March. complete Kopu - Thames and the installation This section is still of the bike under consideration barriers, cattle and should deterrents, signs (road and track) and agreement on the consented route be minor works should be completed by 2 reached by early March, it is believed March 2012, allowing for the route to be that construction of the route can be opened shortly thereafter. completed by May 2012. Paeroa – Waikino If agreement is reached on the alternate route, then construction will be delayed. The track construction is completed. The construction of the bridges and fencing was all that remained at the time of writing.

Works planned for March/April 1. Completion of all bridges 4. Completion of installation of all 2. Completion of track construction crossings, cattle deterrents and bike slides. 3. Completion of all fencing 5. Installation of sign boards 26 www.tcdc.govt.nz/ourcoromandel ...... March 2012 ��www.tcdc.govt.nz/ourcoromandel 27 NZ Book Month TCDC Libraries are celebrating NZ Book Month with author visits, NZ book-themed story times, displays and prizes. Visit Thames, Tairua or Mercury Bay have three writers in one month is very library, pick up a book month prize card exciting and will cater to all ages from and to be in to win. grandchildren to grandparents.” Simply borrow four NZ books during Booksellers NZ will also send every the month of March, get your card household a $5 book voucher to help stamped, and go in the draw to win a encourage communities to get reading. New Zealand book. The organiser of the nationwide event, There are prizes for children, teens and Megan Dunn, said: “I hope the Thames- adults. Coromandel community will join us in celebrating NZ Book Month and take District Libraries Co-ordinator Linda this special time to bond with their Hayfield believes New Zealand Book families. We believe everyone should Month plays a vital role in teaching be able to experience the magic of the children and parents that books can be written word.” fun and engaging for all ages. New Zealand Book Month is a non-profit “We are so pleased to be able to offer our initiative promoting books and reading communities the chance to enjoy stories – and as a result, literacy – in New directly from the authors. For children Zealand. and adults to discover the magic of the written and spoken word connects For more information please contact: them with a lifetime of possibilities. To Linda Hayfield on 07 868 6616. 28 www.tcdc.govt.nz/ourcoromandel ...... Author visits We also have special guest authors visiting TCDC Libraries this month: • Children’s author Susan Brocker Book Launch at Thames Library Susan’s books have been listed as Time Speaker by Ke-Yana Drake Storylines Notable Young Adult Murderer. Assassin. Cold-blooded killer. Fiction and Non Fiction. Dreams Jaola is the best in the business. Trapped of Warriors was also shortlisted between her duty to the Agency and her for the 2011 LIANZA Esther Glen deep-seated desire to be free, Jaola turns Award. fugitive. Fast-paced, with twists and • Picture book author Terri Baynton turns, her battle to stay alive will keep Terri is a scriptwriter and story-lin- you enthralled. er for children’s television, working Thames author Ke-Yana Drake has been with Weta Productions on ‘Jane writing for 20 years, mainly in the gen- and the Dragon’ and ‘The Wotwots’ res of science fiction and urban fantasy. alongside her father, Wotwots crea- Her work has been published in local tor Martin Baynton. Terri lives in and international print anthologies, Waihi Beach. and has featured on literary blogs and • Non-fiction author Julian Fitter websites including international art and A finalist in the Environment literature website deviantART. category of the 2009 Montana New We are proud to have Ke-Yana launch Zealand Book Awards. His most her first print novel, Time Speaker, recent work, Birds of New Zea- at Thames Library on Wednesday 28 land (2011), was written with Don March, 5:30 pm. Merton.) ��www.tcdc.govt.nz/ourcoromandel 29 Borrow eBooks A whole new world of possibilities has opened up through our district libraries with the arrival of a great selection of e-books. The Oxford Dictionary of English It is worth noting that Kindle e-reader defines the e-book as “an electronic users will not be able to download version of a printed book,” but free through libraries because these e-books do exist without any printed devices can only download purchased equivalent. E-books are usually read material through Amazon. on dedicated e-book readers. Personal Want to know more? computers and some mobile phones can also be used to read e-books. To see our titles and learn more about eReader applications, here’s the Library users can download e-books website: using a log-in with their library card. http://coromandel.wheelers.co/ The application will automatically download the book to the borrower’s Or, you can ask one of our librarians device and make it available for them to explain more. Feel free to give your to read for a period of two weeks. nearestthames-Coromandel District Library a call: It’s just another of the many great services offered by our libraries. • Thames 07 868 6616 “It will be a growing collection and • Tairua 07 864 7960 we’ll be regularly adding material in • Whitianga 07 866 4776 e-book form as it’s available,” says Library Co-ordinator Linda Hayfield. 30 www.tcdc.govt.nz/ourcoromandel ...... ACC says pool best Thames Centennial Pool users can be assured the facility is being operated with great care after an independent audit gave staff flying colours under the national Safe Pools criteria. The audit —undertaken by ACC and the Pool Manager Paul Dufty says he was New Zealand Recreation Association— unsurprised at the level of knowledge found operation of the facility in Mackay held by staff. “It was a really good Street was the best out of 15 pools indication that we have a very broad and inspected from Rotorua to Coromandel. extensive knowledge between all six of our permanent staff and that all our Included in the extensive inspection training is paying off.” was supervision by lifeguards, normal operating procedures, ratios of staff to Learn to swim—get the kids signed up at customers, emergency action plans, the swim school. water quality, pool-alone criteria to www.tcdc.govt.nz/swim ensure children are being monitored by caregivers, first aid and more. ��www.tcdc.govt.nz/ourcoromandel 31 Moana Anu Anu walkway ‘on track’

It’s hoped visitors will make the most of a walking experience taking in all the beauty and calm of the Whangamata Harbour following a big clean up behind the town’s industrial area.

The first stage of the Te Ara O Te Wairoa With the reserve land now cleared, it’s (Moana Anu Anu Harbour) Walkway has expected to be ready for visitors by next gone out to tender and construction of summer and is the first stage of a bigger signage and a walkway path will follow proposal to link the town’s reserves with soon. walkways along the serene waters of the Whangamata Harbour. The new section of walkway starts at Hetherington Reserve and continues There will be additional work at Moana along the water behind the town’s Point Reserve which is well known and industrial area to an access way at loved by locals and residents. Sharryn Place and Wattle Place. Visitors are encouraged to use this Much work has been done on the publicly owned reserve land and look for project in recent years despite funding new signage that will help to keep them being delayed, including liaising with on track. businesses in the industrial area that had encroached on the land and were using it for stockpiles and storage. 32 www.tcdc.govt.nz/ourcoromandel ......

For chirpy little updates about, well, everything from water shutdowns to events, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/ourcoromandel. If you use a Twitter app instead, then Of course, you may have seen us we’re simply: @ourcoromandel. advertise another twitter address (tc_dc) and are wondering which is the If you’re not a Twitter user and you’re right one. The answer is both, but for not sure what to make of it all, you can different reasons. go to the main Twitter website (when you’re next online, type twitter.com/ tc_dc is our emergency Twitter channel. into your browser and go from there) People have followed this on their and then type our Twitter address: mobiles so they get a text message of ourcoromandel. our tweets whenever we tweet about slips, road closures or major issues like You DON’T need to sign up. You that. can just type in any Twitter address and read whatever they’ve written However, each of those texts comes off (otherwise known as “tweeted.”) their plan’s free text allowance so we only tweet on tc_dc when it’s extremely When you “tweet” you have a limit of urgent or emergency information. 140 characters, including spaces and full stops. So it’s nice and short. For everything else, like events, Council decisions, water shuts and everything Did you know that during the huge in between, we use ourcoromandel. Christchurch earthquakes on February 2011, Twitter and radio were the two Oh, and you can also see our latest fastest ways for people inside and tweets right on our website homepage! outside the disaster zones to get information. So, Twitter’s very handy. Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/ourcoromandel �� wwwwww.tcdc.govt.nz/ourcoromandel.tcdc.govt.nz/ourcoromandel 33

If an Emergency hits, listen to your local radio station.

We’ll make sure they get all the updates as they come to hand. We’ll also tweet on our emergency Twitter channel - follow @tc_dc 34 www.tcdc.govt.nz/ourcoromandel ...... MB Sports Park Mercury Bay Sports Park — the exciting new sporting facility funded by the local community — is taking shape in Whitianga. The Complex is a major achievement for featuring more courts, a weights gym, the Whitianga community and features a café and reception area and second five playing fields built to international level club rooms — all of which would be rugby size for rugby, rugby league and funded externally and not from rates. soccer, five marked asphalt netball The Mercury Bay Community Board courts, three asphalt tennis courts, car is working with representatives of parking for 220 vehicles and five buses, different sporting groups to establish a a children’s playground, a picnic area, Sportsville organisation to coordinate landscaped grounds, public toilets and management of the facility on behalf of a changing facility for 100 women and all codes and to oversee future stages 100 men. using money raised through grants and We’ve used reserve contributions earned other non-ratepayer fundraising sources. through subdivision over the years It’s expected that management of the within the Mercury Bay area to fund the facility will need a dedicated role and development of the playing surfaces, external funding is being investigated car parks, roading and basic toilet and for this too. changing facilities. One of the many positive spin-offs from The total budget for the development the project is the use of highly treated approved by the Council is $5.2 million wastewater from the new Whitianga made up of $3 million land development, wastewater treatment plant to irrigate $2.2 million roading and fields and the sports fields when water is needed, $800,000 for the changing facility with making the complex an eco-friendly showers and toilets. asset to Whitianga’s committed sport- loving community. The development of the sports fields is the first stage of a bigger vision for the Project Manager Gordon Reynolds says complex with concept plans prepared by the netball courts are expected to be the Council for a proposed grandstand open for winter and it will be ready for above the changing facility including touch rugby and cricket this summer corporate boxes and seating for 900 and the first game of rugby at the start of people, and an indoor sports facility the 2013 season. ��www.tcdc.govt.nz/ourcoromandel 35 The hands that moulded Pauanui

Hands sculpted by Nathan Whitehead Pauanui residents and supporters are being invited to contribute to a community “Thank You” to the Hopper brothers for their work in creating the unique township of Pauanui. The hands that moulded Pauanui is a in an appropriate way the outstanding community-driven tribute to a family vision of the Hopper brothers in of brothers unique in their thinking developing the original concept of and with the skill to bring a grand idea Pauanui.” to completion. The Hopper brothers A small group of property owners – Tony, Ian, Bill (deceased) and Guy has under-written this concept and along with Frank Easdale and the team the progress to date. It will be funded – developed Pauanui in 1967. by donation and the expected cost is Hand impressions of Tony, Ian and Guy, $50,000. together with those of Frank Easdale (at If you would like to make a donation the request of the Hoppers) have been toward the project a voucher is available cast in bronze and enhanced by special from the Pauanui Information Centre, or features relevant to each of them. The you can send a cheque to: four bronze plaques will be displayed Pauanui Community Office on a pedestal built of schist and will Hands Account, stand in the Shopping Centre precinct. PO Box 89, Pauanui 3546 The “Vision Pauanui” Community Plan Or, you can make a donation via online of 2005 states: “It is the wish of the banking: 03 0458 0161367 01 including Pauanui community to acknowledge your name. 36 www.tcdc.govt.nz/ourcoromandel ...... Celebrate them! Nominate for our community service award Many of us know someone who is often as such the nomination should not busy helping others and who is always be for work in which they have been there when volunteers are needed. rewarded by the payment of wages for services rendered. These people make a huge contribution to our district and they do so willingly The awards are open to any individual and without question of financial who has been making a difference to reward. They often slip under the our district and they can be of any age. radar when it comes to giving thanks Nominate someone you think deserves however and now you have the recognition. opportunity to celebrate them and their special contribution. Visit our website to find out more. The Thames-Coromandel District Community Service Awards are held Other awards every two years and nominations are Volunteering Waikato open until 13 April 2012. Each year to recognise the efforts There are a maximum of three of Volunteers within the region Community Service awards given out Volunteering Waikato organise and every two years. Nominations will host the Volunteer Excellence Awards. be kept confidential and we can help if you’re not sure what’s involved in Volunteering Waikato’s Volunteer filling in the nomination form or if you Excellence Awards are a wonderful have any questions about eligibility. opportunity for the community to come together to recognise the contribution A special committee of council will be and achievements of outstanding convened to consider all nominations volunteers. received and the award recipient or recipients will be presented with Your organisation can nominate their award at a full council meeting individual volunteers, including during the month when we also mark separate categories for youth volunteer awareness week, in June. volunteers and volunteer teams. The Thames-Coromandel District Any community organisation in the Community Services Award is for those region can nominate - you don’t need in our community who volunteer and to be a Volunteering Waikato member. ��www.tcdc.govt.nz/ourcoromandel 37 Council iPad app While most of us were trying to have a summer vacation, one young student was cloistered away in our Communications department. Last November, Thames High School The series, due to appear this student Tunisia Napia wrote to season, required her to use various the Communications Department professional software packages such as requesting work as a summer intern. Photoshop, Keynote and more, and will show how to make a noise complaint, With her application, she sent copies of how to speak in Public forum and previous video production, media and many more helpful clips. design skills. Now back at high school for her final Communications Manager, Ben Day, year, Tunisia is adding to her already said the team was highly-employable very impressed. skill-base by “Tunisia’s work was learning to develop of an extraordinary applications for standard so we mobile devices invited her to work running IOS and on a video project Android. over the period between Christmas For her class and New Year. The project, she will end result was a work with our short You-Tube- Communications ready clip of a day in the life of an and IT teams to make a Council News on-call building inspector. app for iPad, iPhone and Android OS tablets and smartphones. “Tunisia did an excellent job and we were thrilled with the result.” Keep an eye out for an upcoming eNewsletter with questions you can Tunisia was then asked to build the answer so that Tunisia can develop an initial templates for an upcoming app that gives you what you want the series of short “How To” videos for our way you want it. newly redesigned website. 38 www.tcdc.govt.nz/ourcoromandel ...... Flush your taps

The Ministry of Health reminds all of us to flush a mug of drinking water from our taps every morning.

This removes any metals that may have dissolved from the plumbing fittings overnight.

Some plumbing fittings have the potential to allow minute traces of metal to accumulate in water standing in the fittings for several hours.

The Ministry recommends this simple precaution for all households in New Zealand, including those on public and private water supplies. ��www.tcdc.govt.nz/ourcoromandel 39 Meeting calendar Council and Community Board Meetings in March, April and May:

March • 15 District Plan Review Committee • 20 Service Delivery and Policy and Planning Committees • 26 Coromandel-Colville and Tairua-Pauanui Community Boards • 27 Thames and Mercury Bay Community Boards • 28 Citizenship Ceremony • 29 Judicial Committee and Whangamata Community Board

April • 18 Council • 23 Audit Committee • 24 Service Delivery Committee • 26 Judicial Committee • 30 Coromandel-Colville and Tairua-Pauanui Community Boards

May • 1 Thames and Mercury Bay Community Boards • 3 Whangamata Community Board • 7-18 Ten Year Plan Hearings • 23 Council • 29-30 District Plan Review Committee • 31 Judicial Committee Rubbish and Recycling Your guide to autumn collections

Collection days are as follows except when a public holiday falls on a Monday.*

Whangamata Monday Please put your Onemana/ Opoutere Monday official blue bags and green recycling bins Pauanui Monday out by 7:30 AM on your collection days. Mercury Bay South Monday Collections on the week Tairua Tuesday starting Monday 30 January will be one day later due to the Auckland Whitianga Tuesday Anniversary public holiday on Monday 30 Mercury Bay North Tuesday January. Coromandel Rural North Tuesday Coromandel Town Wednesday Manaia, Thames Coast Wednesday Thames Wednesday Thames Rural South Wednesday

* When a public holiday falls on a Monday, collections will be a day later for that week. This autumn, this applies on the week after Easter (the week starting Monday 9 April 2012). That week, collections will be as follows:

Whangamata, Onemana/Opoutere, Pauanui and Mercury Bay South Tuesday 10 April Tairua, Whitianga, Mercury Bay North and Coromandel Rural North Wednesday 11 April All Coromandel areas, Manaia and all Thames areas Thursday 12 April

Please fold flat and bundle all cardboard, put recycing in the official green bins and use the official blue bags for rubbish. All recycling and rubbish is to be out ready from 7:30 AM on collection day.

If you miss your collection, remember that our refuse transfer stations take official blue bags FREE.