Local Issues
By John Freer Significant increases to rates and major issues being faced by the Thames Coromandel District Council do not appear to have inspired residents to have their say on the draft 10-year long-term plan. Numbers released last week revealed that only 282 submissions were received on the 2024-2034 draft plan, over 1300 fewer than […]
At a meeting of the Hauraki and Thames Coromandel District Council’s on 26 and 31 October respectively, both of our local Council’s voted in favour of the establishment of Māori wards in each of their respective Districts. This decision was in the case of the two councils, made by a vote of the council and […]
Thirty four days have passed since the Conservation Minister, Tama Potaka, raised the hopes of Coromandel Peninsula locals with an announcement when he said he wanted to see the track reopen by next summer. Up to that time Department of Conservation staff had been lowering expectations of an opening. Since then, local MP Scott Simpson […]
By John Freer It has been five months since the blue rubbish bags disappeared from outside homes around Thames Coromandel, in their place a new wheelie bin and a second bin for food waste. As expected the introduction of the new kerbside refuge and recycling collection service under a new contractor in Waste Management, in […]
This is CFMs week in news review with John Freer With news of SH25A reopening this side of Christmas, attention has moved to the next piece of critical tourism infrastructure and the possible reopening of Cathedral Cove’s land-based access. The Department of Conversation has continued to state the track to the cove will not be […]
By John Freer Acceptance of the regional biking strategy across both the Coromandel Peninsula and Hauraki districts, will now enable a pathway to developing tracks and opportunities. This from Laurna White the Thames Coromandel District Council’s Group Manager Community Outcomes. During the past 12 months a number of organisations, clubs and community groups have had […]
As advised in our story last week, NZTA has now officially confirmed the road will reopen on or before 20 December. The full release from NZTA follows. Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has confirmed that State Highway 25A between Kōpū and Hikuai will be re-open to traffic in time for Christmas – a full three […]
By John Freer To complete the construction of a new Whitianga Refuse Transfer Station is understood to cost an additional $9.9 million. This after an original estimate of $2.5 million. Thames Coromandel District Council halted work on the project earlier this year when it was agreed that the design was not fit for purpose. Since […]
An attempt to get the pulse of its town and use the information to meet the needs of residents, has struck a cord with Whangamata residents. The local ratepayer’s association has launched a survey of both residents and ratepayers and within a week, have received over 400 responses. Whangamata Ratepayers Association spokesperson, Amanda Stevenson, said […]
By John Freer Interviewing Rob Goldring is a very sobering experience. The discussion is about the recent wildfires in North America and how a similar scenario could be experienced on the Coromandel Peninsula. Rob is the Community Risk Manager for Fire and Emergency New Zealand in the Waikato. It is very easy to determine his […]
