Matarangi Community Plan - Thames-Coromandel District Council

Who will have access to the plan?This Community Plan is available from the local Council Office at 46 Albert Street, Whitianga or bytelephoning Council on 07 867 2010.How will progress and success be measured?A central record of activity will be kept at the District Council office, 10 Monk Street, Whitianga andthrough the Mercury Bay Community Board. Progress will be reported to the community annually.Maintaining the integrity of the plan and monitoring its use is a necessary part of the implementation. Areview of the plan’s highest priorities will be carried out by the Community Board at a time to coincidewith the preparation of Council’s annual plan budgeting process.A major review of this Community Plan will be undertaken every three years to coincide with the reviewof Council’s LTCCP process. This will involve public consultation and input.How can new ideas be incorporated?The Community Plan has been arranged like a workbook so that an individual or group may use it tokeep a record of their activity and ideas. The central record of activity, maintained by Council, will formthe basis of the annual report to the community and the Community Board.All comments on or contributions to this Community Plan should be made to the Thames CoromandelDistrict Council’s Mercury Bay Area Manager, 10 Monk Street, Whitianga.Description of our CommunityIntroductionMatarangi was first developed as a comprehensive settlement in the 1970’s. Today, Matarangicontinues to reflect its original vision as a beach holiday destination. It is anticipated that in the future,Matarangi will continue as a resort town, due to limited provision of the services and facilities required tosustain a permanent population.Matarangi is different from other settlements on the eastern side of the Coromandel Peninsula in that ithas a finite area for development. Matarangi Township is inhibited by an area to the east zonedconservation, in effect creating a clear town boundary. As dwelling capacity is met in Matarangi,pressure to develop the area south of Matarangi (around Mt Koruakomako Murphy’s Hill) could increase.Population and demographic information is important for gaining a better understanding of thecommunity now, how it has changed over the last decade and the likely future trends. This knowledgeand understanding assists with the targeting and delivery of Council services, facilities and resources.PopulationIn 2006, the usually resident population of Matarangi (all people who usually live in Matarangi) was 249people (census night: 7 March 2006). This was a decrease of 159 people or 39% since 1996. Thefollowing graph shows how the usually resident population of Matarangi has changed over the past 15years.4

Dwelling OccupancyOn census night 2006, only 14% of dwellings in Matarangi were occupied by usual residents. Thisreflects Matarangi’s primary role as a resort town. Eighty three percent of dwellings in Matarangiwere unoccupied on census night, compared to 48% of dwellings unoccupied across the Districtas a whole.To follow is a map of Matarangi. The green areas are Council reserves and accessways.6

Process followed to prepare the Matarangi Community PlanDate Description of planning activity Notes19 March 2007 Community Planning Questionnaire posted to allratepayersApproximately 1210questionnaires wereposted.22 & 29March 2007Public Notice – Bay Notes in The Bay Beaconadvertising forthcoming community planningmeeting8 April 2007 Public meeting held in Matarangi Fire Station Approximately 112March / April2007April/May200727 th February2008March 2008June 2008August 2008August 2008December 2008attendeesCompleted questionnaires received. Approximately 80questionnaires werereceived.Draft plan compiled from public meeting informationand completed questionnairesMet to review the draft community plan (LesleyMcCormick (TCDC), Paul Kelly (member ofMatarangi Ratepayers Association), Jim Scott(member of Matarangi Ratepayers Association),Rose Ward (Progressive Group Ltd – plancompiler).The draft was amended to ensure there was norepetition and that comments were recorded underthe appropriate section.Consultation period. The Draft MatarangiCommunity Plan was available for viewing both atTCDC office and on the TCDC website. Notificationwas via the Hauraki Herald and a poster at the shopin Matarangi over Queens Birthday weekend.Met to review submissions and review the DraftCommunity Plan (Lesley McCormick and MerleBenson (TCDC), Paul Kelly (member of MatarangiRatepayers Association), Jim Scott (member ofMatarangi Ratepayers Association), Ian Patrick(member of Matarangi Ratepayers Association) andRose Ward (Progressive Group Ltd – plancompiler).Final amendments were completed.The plan was received by the Mercury BayCommunity Board.Two submissionsreceived onMatarangiCommunity Plan.

Key areas of focusCommunity(what we want ourcommunity to look like)Social(community wellbeing)HealthEducationSafe communitiesCommunityEnvironmental(surroundings we live in)InfrastructureBush andCoastline & harboursLand useReserve managementWaste managementEconomic(the commercial sector)RetailService industryIndustryTourismCultural(who we are as a community)Recreation and LeisureArtsHeritage9

SOCIAL – Health / Education / Safe Communities / CommunityWhat do we have?• Volunteer emergency services including fire and St. John’s Ambulance first response unit.• A small number of permanent residents and a high (80%) non-resident community.• A Steiner Kindergarten at Kuaotunu (for 3+ years), a primary school at Te Rerenga and areaschools at Whitianga and Coromandel.• A play group for Under 3’s held once a week at the fire station.• Community hall at Te Rerenga (owned by the community trust).• Health services at Whitianga and Coromandel.• The fire station being used as a community hall at no cost to the community as this is covered bythe Fire Trust Board. There is a charge for some events with the policy that user charges shouldcover expenses.What do we want?• Visible police presence during the holiday and peak periods to achieve a safe community.• Continuation of the liquor ban.• To ascertain the feasibility of installing a security camera on Matarangi Drive (location to be decided).• To establish a community building that will accommodate:i) All emergency services including the Fire Brigade, St John’s Ambulance and the Coastguard andii)That could be used as a meeting place for younger people, and is large enough for dances andentertainment.• Emergency management planning via an Emergency Services Trust including:i) Procedures for a Tsunami Alert (for example, warning procedure, where to go) andii)A Civil Defence emergency advice/communication system that does not rely on electrical power.• A Village Green that is safe for the community (i.e., monitoring of youth, vehicles, vandalism, alcohol,lighting, and parking).• Medical services available throughout the peak holiday period (e.g., a doctor and/or nurse present duringthe peak period and to ensure there is a morning and afternoon clinic each day).• Installation of traffic calming methods so that vehicle speed on roads is reduced. This will include safecrossing points on Matarangi Drive.• Ongoing by-law enforcement including liquor, dogs, and noise.• Strategically placed street lighting.• Safe pedestrian links across and throughout the settlement.What don’t we want?• Streets being used for racing.• Drinking in public places, especially late at night.• A campground.• Marina.• Unauthorised fireworks during Christmas and New Year.• A reduction in police presence.10

PrioritiesIssueActionLeadAgencyOtherPartiesPriority / Timeline08/10 12/14 16/20Emergencyservices are notcentralised.• Accommodate allemergencyservices togetherincluding the FireBrigade, CivilDefence, St John’sAmbulance and theCoastguard in acommunitybuilding.MatarangiVolunteerFire Force.St John’sCoastguardNZ RuralFireAuthority,EmergencyManagementGroup(EMG)NZ FireServiceTCDC√Concern thatresidents do notknow what to doin an emergencyand that poweroutages caneffectcommunicationduring anemergency.• Implement anemergencymanagement planwhich includestsunamiprocedures and acommunicationsystem that doesnot rely onelectrical powerand a heli pad.MatarangivolunteerFire ForceEMG√Cars exceed thespeed limit.• Use traffic calmingtechniques toreduce vehiclespeed and improvepedestrian safety(e.g., pedestriancrossing).MatarangiRatepayersAssociationNZ PoliceTCDC√There is aperception oflow policepresence duringthe year.• Increase policevisibility during theschool holidaysand peak periods(i.e., all statutoryand schoolholidays.MatarangiRatepayersAssociationNZ PoliceTCDC√There is noprovision ofmedical servicesin Matarangiover the peak.• Establish a dailymedical/first aidclinic over the peakperiods.MatarangiRatepayersAssociationDistrictHealth BoardLocalproviders√11

ECONOMIC - Retail / Service Industry / Industry / TourismWhat do we have?• A golf course and associated facilities (e.g., bar, restaurant, gift shop).• A function centre at Omara’s.• An area zoned as ‘Commercial’, incorporating hardware, dairy and café.• Tourist accommodation.• A walkway around the peninsula.• A footpath network for walking.• Airfield.• Beach homes for rent.What do we want?• Provide for future expansion of the commercial area.• Any multi-level development should be close to the commercial area.• Maintain the security system at the commercial area.• Consultation on an overnight parking area for mobile homes and campervans at OmaroReserve.• An information service for fisherman (e.g., phone line)• Interpretative signs (e.g., the meaning of names such as Omaro)• Access to a fuel/service station at a commercially zoned location, at the SH 25 intersection.• An airfield with improved aviation facilities.• Screen planting of service buildings on Matarangi Drive (e.g., golf course service building).• A coordinated approach to the promotion of Matarangi (summer carnival).What don’t we want?• Development outside the structure plan.• Multi level development on the harbour edge higher than two stories.• An unsustainable commercial area resulting in empty shops.• Heavy industry i.e. saw mill or wood treatment.• Gambling machines.12

PrioritiesIssueActionLeadAgencyOtherPartiesPriority / Timeline08/10 12/14 16/20Thedevelopment ofmulti storeybuildings• Ensure that thecommunity isinformed about anyproposed changesto the StructurePlan.TCDCMatarangiRatepayersAssociation,thedeveloper√ √ √Residents andvisitors need totravel outsideMatarangi toget fuel.• Support theplanning for theprovision of fuel atthe intersection ofSH 25.TCDCMatarangiRatepayersAssociationTCDC√√Concern aboutthe future of theairfield inMatarangi• Encourageretaining theairfield.• Support therelocation of theairfield, if required.MatarangiRatepayersAssociationTheDeveloperTCDC√13

Energy and TelecommunicationsWhat do we have?• Underground power.• Intermittent cell phone and telecommunications supply.• An unreliable power supply.• Unreliable and intermittent radio reception.What do we want?• Reliable power.• Underground power cables and phone lines.• Improved telecommunications coverage from both Vodafone and Telecom (e.g., 3G,broadband).• Reclassification of telephone service by Telecom from remote ‘rural’ to normal residential.What don’t we want?• Overhead power lines or phone lines.• Substandard power supply and power cuts.• Pylons.• Cell phone tower in residential community.Water / Stormwater / WastewaterWhat do we have?• Council reticulated water and wastewater schemes.• A reliance on on-site disposal for stormwater.• Collection sumps for road stormwater run off.• Storm water ponding on Matarangi Drive.• An ungraded water supply.What do we want?Clean Water• Drinking water that conforms to the highest possible standard.• Community support for water conservation initiatives (e.g., on-site tanks and re-using greywater).• Infrastructure that is linked to growth. Ensure expansion of the existing system will cope withpopulation growth.• A reliable water supply system together with a reservoir to hold enough water for the busysummer season.• Collaboration between TCDC and the developer regarding the provision of water and use oftreated waste water.Stormwater• Improved storm water swale management.15

IssueActionLeadAgencyOtherPartiesPriority / Timeline08/10 12/14 16/20Rubbish bags areleft on streets,before rubbishcollection day.Visitors do not taketheir rubbish to theRTS before it closes(5.30pm) or before itopens(10/10.30am).• Return to norubbishcollection.• Conduct afeasibility studyregardingopening theRTS 7 daysand for longerhours.TCDCContractorMatarangiRatepayersAssociation√Concern aboutspeeding vehiclesand pedestriansafety.Concern that roadswill bemaintained/repairedusingasphalt/concrete• Use trafficcalmingmethods toreduce speedincludingcrossing points.• Red chip(McCallum) isthe preferredroad surface.TCDCTCDCMatarangiRatepayersAssociationThedeveloper&MatarangiRatepayersAssociation√√18

ENVIRONMENTAL – Bush & StreamsWhat do we have?• Commercial forest operation in the hills behind the community.• Green back drop to peninsular that incorporates farmland, production forest and reserve.What do we want?• Maintenance (DoC) of the walking track (ties in with New Zealand Walkways initiatives).• Clean streams.• Noxious weed control.• Improved riparian management along streams that run into the harbour.ENVIRONMENTAL – Coastline & HarboursWhat do we have?• Sediment run-off into the harbour.• Mangroves in the harbour (due to the sediment run off).• Aquaculture in the harbour.• Environmentally significant harbour and environs with healthy marine and bird life.• Clean safe and accessible swimming beaches.• A boat ramp and jetty in the harbour.• Protected birds (e.g. dotterels).• Jet skiers who do not obey the rules.• Property owners accessing the beach across reserves and dunes, to launch their boats.What do we want?• Maintain and continue DoC initiatives, especially the protection of migrating and resident birdcolonies from predators. Introduce public monitoring and education programmes.• Protection, maintenance and enhancement of dunes and beach area.• A walkway from the boat ramp to shops.• A safe swimming area with a defined 200 metre limit off shore.• Harbour management plan to address long term use, maintenance and protection of the harbouras well as reducing the mangroves.• Clean, safe and accessible harbour and swimming beaches.• Improved/upgraded boat ramp access into the harbour and surrounding area.• Strict enforcement of boat discharge and dumping of fishing waste at the ramp.• More regulatory, directional and interpretive signage (e.g., no vehicles / fires / camping).What don’t we want?• Unauthorised vehicles on beaches and harbours/estuary.• Wastewater to pollute the estuary, beach or land.• A marina or canal development.• Degradation of the dune or estuary edge due to people not using the designated access points.• No new commercial fishing in the harbour (e.g., more aquaculture).• A commercial mill.19

PrioritiesIssueActionLeadAgencyOtherPartiesPriority / Timeline08/10 12/14 16/20Limited accessto the water forrecreationalboats• Upgrade the boatramp access intothe harbour.MatarangiRatepayersAssociationThedeveloperTCDCEW√√Concern aboutriparianmanagement• Establish a riparianmanagementprogramme.EnvironmentWaikato(EW)DOCLandowners√Limited signage • Develop a signageplan to includeregulatory,directional andinterpretation signs.Use the TCDCdesign standards.TCDCMatarangiRatepayersAssociation√Concern aboutsafety aroundjet skis, whenswimming.• Define 200 meterlimit off shore.EW√20

ENVIRONMENTAL – Reserve Management and Open SpaceWhat do we have?• An active reserve group.• Extensive foreshore reserves and dunes.• Wide walkway linkages and reserve accessways in the residential area to the foreshore, aroundthe golf course and along harbour side.• Encroachment on reserves.• A golf course that is private property and recognised by the public as open space but it is not areserve for public use.• An operative reserve management plan.What do we want?• Maintenance of the reserve along the beachfront (e.g., grassed areas) and replace or repair thesteps and walkways to the beach.• Determine who will maintain the Spit Esplanade Track, long term.• Promote the walkway linkages around the spit and peninsula.• Walks / boardwalks with eco view station throughout mangrove reserve or as per original plan.• Continue to develop wide walkways as Matarangi grows as in the original settlement area (e.g.,Kenwood Drive, Waimarie area).• Enforcement of the by-laws on reserves (including vehicles and noise).• Enforcement of the landscape criteria in the new development.• Retain and periodically review, dog exercise areas.• Provision of tennis courts and play equipment (0-12 years) and drinking fountains in newsubdivisions, including sunshade.• Retain the existing 18 hole golf course as recognised Open Space.Matarangi Beach21

What don’t we want?• Domestic cats left behind by holidaymakers.• Feral cats.• Vehicles using walkways including quad bikes, ATVs and miniature motor bikes.• Encroachment onto reserves by private property owners.• Removal of the vegetation in our reserves and walkways.• Helicopters and quad bikes on beach front reserves.• Vandalism to public facilities (e.g., steps to beach).• Water quality of the retention lakes within the golf course to deteriorate.PrioritiesIssueActionLeadAgencyOtherPartiesPriority / Timeline08/10 12/14 16/20Damage todunes• Manage accesspoints for vehiclesEWReserveGroupTCDC√There is limitedpromotion of thewalkway• Promote thewalkwayMatarangiRatepayersAssociationTCDCThedeveloper√22

ENVIRONMENTAL – Land UseWhat do we have?• A Structure Plan to manage development.• Coastal setback on the foreshore.• An airstrip.• A proposed new site for new airstrip.What do we want?Matarangi Air Strip• Structure Plan.• Continued coastal set back from the harbour.• Full consultation on any proposed changes to the District Plan or Structure Plan.• Enforcement of covenants in new subdivisions (including building size and scale).• Commitment to retaining the existing air strip or relocate it in close proximity.• Retain the existing golf course as Open Space.• Provision of land for emergency services.What don’t we want?• Reversal of beachfront set back.• Any further permitted commercial use of DoC land such as the Vodafone tower upon OmaraBluff.• A campground.• To lose the golf course as open space.PrioritiesIssueActionLeadAgencyOtherPartiesPriority / Timeline08/10 12/14 16/20The possibilitythat the golfcourse will besold anddeveloped.• Secure the golfcourse as OpenSpace (in the DistrictPlan) through theplanning process.TCDCThedeveloper,MatarangiRatepayersAssociation√That the airstrip may beclosed.• Encourage retainingthe airfield.• Support therelocation of theairfield, if required.MatarangiRatepayersAssociationThedeveloperTCDC√23

CULTURAL – Recreation & Leisure / Arts / HeritageWhat do we have?• Tennis courts (mostly privately owned) and a childrens’ play area.• A community involved with water activities such as swimming, surfing, and recreationalboating/diving/fishing.• A development company with strong community links (e.g. 10 day summer carnival).• A boat ramp that does not meet peak demand.• Walking tracks and pedestrian linkages across, and around the peninsula.• A fire service building that is available for community use.What do we want?• Enforcement of the bylaws regarding quads and motorbikes on beach and pathways.• A defined 200 metre limit off shore.• Youth zone adjacent to commercial area.• Support for visual and performing arts.• Well maintained walking / cycling tracks around the harbour like the one around the golf courseand Matarangi Spit track.• Priority to be given to the access road to the boat ramp.• An upgraded and safe boat ramp with adequate parking and associated facilities (e.g., a boatwash down area, dingy storage).• Boating facilities close to the boat ramp for our youth to learn from.• Continuation of the summer entertainment programme i.e. big digs, beauty contests, fishingcompetitions.• Picnic in the Park experiences such as Carols by Candlelight.• Golf course to remain as Open Space.• Heritage sites identified and accessible (e.g., gold battery on the Bluffs).• Retain an airfield with improved aviation facilities.• Art and craft centre / community centre located alongside emergency services.• Preserve inland historic sites (e.g. Opitonui goldfields) and maintain access signage.What don’t we want?• A campground.• Over crowded tennis courts.• Vehicles, including quad bikes on the reserves.• Gaming parlours.24

PrioritiesIssueActionLeadAgencyOtherPartiesPriority / Timeline08/10 12/14 16/20Lack of heritagemarkers / signs• Develop accesssignage as part ofthe sign andInterpretation Planfor Matarangi.TCDCMatarangiRatepayersAssociation√Focal point foryouth• Develop the youthzone.ThedeveloperTCDC√Boat Ramp• Improve andupgrade the boatramp, as per thereservemanagement plan.TCDCEW,Thedeveloper,MatarangiRatepayersAssociation√25

COMMUNITYWhat do we have?• A population of 249 residents (2006 population census) with approximately 915 houses.• A settlement of mostly non-residents.What do we want?• A structure plan that stipulates minimum section size.• One house per Lot.• Single story dwellings only on beachfront sections.• Raise covenants on building size from 60 square metres to 120 square metres to eliminategarage look-alikes being built in new subdivisions due to very small house (e.g., bought in on atruck).• To investigate ways that covenants on building size can be enforced.• Comprehensive development away from the beachfront.• One commercial location as the focal point of the community.• Improved communication of summer events.• Keep Matarangi as a holiday destination for families.• The opportunity to go to the beach using the paths and walkways.What don’t we want?• Small sections of less than 500m² (retrain existing site coverage rules).• Sections with sheds only.• A campground.• Residential development of more than two stories.• To host national sporting events (we don’t have the facilities).• Housing and development when the infrastructure is not in place to support it.• Use of unlicensed motorised scooters on roads or anywhere in Matarangi.NoteThe future development of buildings in Matarangi is guided by the Matarangi Structure Plan. Thisdocument governs the section sizes and requirements for future development.During the course of public consultation, it became evident that many property owners do not want highrise buildings in Matarangi. The Structure Plan permits multiple storey buildings (see Structure Plan fordetail) in the future. The community’s preference regarding the height of residential properties isincluded within the community plan such that future planners and developers know the community’spreference.26

PrioritiesIssueActionLeadAgencyOtherPartiesPriority / Timeline08/10 12/14 16/20Concern thatcovenants onbuilding sizeare notenforced.• Allocate moreresources intomonitoring buildingsize in MatarangiIndividualpropertyownerAdjoininglandownersand thedeveloper√27