Long Term Plan
Please find below our submission to TCDC’s Long Term Plan 2024–34, along with results from the 2023 WRA survey. You can [view the survey results here], or click the button below to read our full submission to TCDC.
Key Projects and Priorities for Whangamatā Ratepayers and Residents:
Stormwater
No. 1: Stormwater
WRA survey results showed Stormwater was the #1 priority project for our community and while the #1 action required from Council was to mitigate stormwater flooding by improving Whangamata stormwater drainage, regular maintenance and repair of existing assets was also essential.
In April 2023 TCDC established the Whangamata Stormwater Working Group and invited a
number of community members to join as stakeholders. The WRA appointee and other
community individuals also appointed as stakeholders and with whom we, our Community Board and our Councillors liaise, all agree the methodology, decision-making and progress to date has been unsatisfactory.
While the existing Stormwater Flooding problem in Whangamata was highlighted by the
2023 cyclones, TCDC have been aware for many years prior to 2023 that Whangamata suffered from an inadequate stormwater system. There have been countless reports on the matter going back to last century. Still, in 2024 many areas of Whangamata have a flooding problem every time we have heavy rain.
WRA submit, for inclusion in the early years of the 24-34 LTP, that both increased funding and operational resource than currently proposed is allocated to Whangamata Stormwater Improvements and to the repair and maintenance of existing Council assets.
Rubbish & Recycling
No. 2: Rubbish & Recycling
The #2 priority project in the survey results was a Recycling and Resource Centre (Seagull Centre) to improve waste management of materials destined for landfill.
TCDC has adopted a Waste Management & Minimisation Plan, the prime goals of which are:
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Manage waste responsibly
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Avoid and reduce waste and maximise recovery - Collaborate with the community.
Council is aware that Whangamata currently has:
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an already active community group working with Council to achieve these goals
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a RTS facility on Council-owned land
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sufficient unused space on that land for interim Seagull Centre activities to be established, particularly for construction waste and e-waste which are urgent waste minimisation priorities.
If the current commercial contract between TCDC and Waste Management was proactively managed, a Seagull Centre could be established on that land relatively quickly.
WRA submit for inclusion in the first year of the 24-34 LTP:
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that a project be established for this purpose,
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that Council exert their stated “collaboration options” as described in the TCDC Waste Management & Minimisation Plan and
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that Council also allocate funding necessary to launch this project in Whangamata from the Solid Waste Levy Reserve held for exactly such a purpose as this.
Cycleway to Mountain Bike Park
No. 3: Cycleway from Whangamatā Town centre to Whangamatā Mountain Bike Park
This project was the #3 priority for our community but has been rejected for inclusion in the proposed 24-34 LTP.
WRA submit that this project should be re-considered by Council during the forthcoming LTP process for the following reasons:
a) TCDC have already received from their appointed consultant the plans and approximate costings for this project to be achieved. Whangamata did not ask, and are not asking, to be part of a district wide cycling strategy.
b) Lack of this cycle path is a major safety issue for so many of our community. The only option currently available to cyclists wishing to go to and from the mountain bike park is on the roadway. This is not always a safe option. Remember too, that while cyclists are concerned about motorists, motorists are also concerned about cyclists.
The local Mountain Bike Club currently has 872 members and this number is expected to exceed 1000 by the end of this year. All age ranges are included in that membership; not all have access to a vehicle to carry themselves and their bike out and back, and many would prefer to cycle even if they did.
c) The Whangamata Mountain Bike Park is held in high-regard by the Mountain Bike community locally, throughout the district and nation-wide. It has received favourable recommendations from international tourist/travel publications. In the words of one Councillor it is “a fantastic asset”.
d) The Whangamata Mountain Bike Park, in addition to being a tourism draw-card also runs Mountain Biking competitions which bring another economic benefit/income stream to our community through the year; we also gain a broad social well-being benefit via the local school’s activities there and the recreational rider use of the facility.
Even if Council decides this project cannot be considered in the first three years of the proposed 24-34 LTP, WRA submit that it should be included now in a future year of the 24-34
LTP.
Spatial Plan
No. 4: A Whangamatā Spatial Plan
WRA supports the delivery of a Whangamata Spatial Plan to enable development and economic growth in the area.
There is no firm date given in the 24-34 LTP for the delivery of the Whangamata Spatial Plan although the Thames Spatial Plan was completed in 2022.
WRA submit that it is time for planners to commence the process for Whangamata, the final outcome of which will be the delivery of the Whangamata Spatial Plan. WRA appreciate that various legislative changes have occurred since 2022 but rely on planners to keep abreast of these as they occur and therefore be in a position to move forward with the process without delay.
Shoreline Management Pathways
No. 5: Shoreline Management Pathways
WRA had no disagreement with the Shoreline Management Plan work involved in the creation of the 138 Shoreline Management Pathways being District funded. These have
been completed.
However WRA do not necessarily agree with the implementation of these pathways being District funded ongoing. We look to Council to obtain significant, committed central Government funding to contribute to the implementation of the Pathways, and top-ups to that outside agency funding being regarded as open to future debate in terms of funding.
WRA support the current timelines suggested by the LTP Capital Expenditure supporting document ie that no “specific Pathway project” is scheduled for the first three years of the LTP. In those three years further evidence may come to hand which could impact actual pathway project priorities in the next LTP.