The pohutukawa are dropping their lovely red blossoms, the village is filling up, the beach is getting busy and there’s no doubt that the summer holidays have arrived. Here’s the latest:

A FIRE WARNING FROM THE CHIEF: Please be aware that there is a total fire ban in place for the whole Coromandel peninsula, this means no open fires of any kind, including fireworks. The El Nino weather pattern is expected to bring very dry conditions to the area this summer and the Onemana Volunteer Fire Brigade will be patrolling in the village and along the beach every night. For further information visit the TCDC website.

Call Jo Adams, 0274493034 with any questions, or to dob in your neighbours when they let rip with the sky rockets on New Year’s eve.

ROAD SAFETY: There is now a bright red band painted on the road as you enter the 50km zone from the main highway, please take note and reduce your speed as you travel through Opoutere.

DOTTEREL WATCH: There is a roster on the bus shelter noticeboard, sign up and help us protect the dotterels on the spit at low tide during the busy holiday period. DOC’s dotterel ranger reports that several cats have been caught,  predatory black backed gulls were culled and as a result we have a good number of dotterel chicks. It’s now so critically important to reduce disturbance from people and dogs so that these babies can fledge, that’s where the dotterel watch team comes into play. Volunteers stand by the sign at the north end of the sandpit on the estuary side and divert people over the boardwalk rather than around the spit, this ensures the dotterels and their chicks can feed at low tide. The dotterel ranger’s name is Frouk Miller and she can be reached on 027 285 6519.

At this time of year dogs are totally banned from the Wharekawa and Ohui ends of Opoutere Beach, if you see a dog on the spit please call 07 868 0200 to be put through to the TCDC dog ranger. Read on for more detail regarding dog control bylaws.

DOG RESTRICTIONS: Current TCDC bylaws clearly state that between the Saturday of Labour Weekend and 1 March dogs are banned at the Wharekawa and Ohui ends of Opoutere beach, check the maps in the carpark for the exact areas.

From mid-December to early February dogs are banned on the entire beach between 9am and 4pm.As mentioned above – to talk to the Animal Control team call 07 868 0200 and you will be put through to them.

From the TCDC website:

“Dogs are banned from the following beaches at all times between the Saturday of Labour weekend and 1 March:

Opoutere Beach – Ohui end and Wharekawa end
South Whangamata from beach access 18 to beach access 20
Onemana Beach south of the Rock Island near the waterfall

Dogs are banned on the following beaches and their associated reserves between 9am and 7pm from December 15 to February 8 and between 9am to 4pm on other holiday weekends.

Whangamata Beach
Opoutere”

THE WORLD FAMOUS OPOUTERE REGATTA: Come to Bruce’s Bay (just by the 25km bend in the middle of the village) at 1.30pm on Saturday January 2nd for the 2016 Opoutere Regatta. There will be swimming and kayaking races for young and old, followed by prize giving and a bbq on the Michael King Reserve at 4.30pm. Bring cash for the bbq which helps our local rural fire team.

You may find one of these colourful flyers in your letterbox!

Thanks to our fantastic regatta organising committee!

OPOUTERE RATEPAYERS AND RESIDENTS AGM 2016: Saturday January 2, 9.30am, Opoutere School. Please note the earlier time which accommodates the Opoutere Regatta which is scheduled for that afternoon.

Have a wonderful summer holiday everyone!