Police asked to investigate theft of Whangapoua parking signs

Eighteen parking signs and poles have been stolen overnight at Whangapoua and the police have been asked to investigate.

Of the 19 signs put up as part of the Thames-Coromandel District Council's new boat trailer parking bylaw programme, 18 have been lifted out and taken away. As the poles were anchored with concrete and that has gone too it is thought that a digger or winch was used to remove them.

This is the second time this has happened in two weeks but last time Council recovered 14 poles.

In addition to the missing signs, information signs on the wharf have been defaced with graffiti - stating: "Built by locals".

Council acknowledges that while the locals may have built the original ramp TCDC has paid for the road to be widened and sealed, the retaining wall to be built, footpaths and fencing installed, toilets installed, ramp to be widened and the wharf / toilet area landscaped. Council also maintains the wharf area, toilets and rubbish bins. These are all directly associated to the ramp.

The implementation of charging a fee for trailer parking at the ramp will continue as planned.
The costs of replacing the lost signs will be covered by Mercury Bay ratepayers and the local harbours account.