News Briefs from TCDC

Recycling Ambassadors to hit streets.

The Ministry for the Environment is seeking recycling ambassadors to go out on the streets this Christmas, promoting the LoveNZ public recycling bins being trialled in Whangamata, Whitianga and Hot Water Beach. Thames-Coromandel District Council was successfully selected to take part in the LoveNZ Recycling in Public Places Initiative. The initiative is a partnership between the Ministry for the Environment, Environment Waikato and TCDC. The LoveNZ bins aim to get people into a mindset of recycling not only from domestic kerbside collections but when out and about in public places such as beaches and town centres. “It creates another step towards a zero waste New Zealand while reinforcing our clean green image,” says LoveNZ Waikato Project Manager Pippa Russell.

Carnegie Library restoration receives $100,000 grant

Thames-Coromandel District Council has won a grant of $100,000 towards the exterior restoration and seismic strengthening of the Former Carnegie Free Library building in Thames courtesy of The New Zealand Lottery grants Board (Environment and Heritage). Restoration of the building is going well with the new roof now complete, the seismic strengthening 95 percent complete, external painting also almost finished and internal refurbishment including doors, windows, tiling and heritage detailing due to be completed sometime in January. Among the early visitors keen to view the building will be the Consul-General for the United States of America, who is visiting Thames on Thursday. (subs: 18 December)

Update on The 309 Road

Major works including a large retaining wall and work at Lemonade Springs on The 309 Rd have been completed with only one more area still to be reinstated. The area still to be completed is approximately 7kms from the Coromandel side of the Peninsula and will be constructed in the New Year. The total cost for work done on 309 Road to date is $205,420. The 309 Rd was closed for several weeks after damage caused by the two severe storms that hit the district in July this year.