The View From Opoutere
Useful information about the Opoutere area brought to you by the Opoutere Ratepayers and Residents Association.
Ōp-HoHoHo-outere Christmas News
Of Bridges, Blossoms and Bus Shelters …
Bringing extra joy to our Christmas season this year is the sparkling new bridge at the top of State Highway 25a (the Kopu-Hikuai). Speed restrictions are in place, but due to many areas of new seal there’s been a few broken and chipped windscreens reported – so make sure you keep an eye on your speed to lessen the risk to your fellow motorists.
You’ll barely recover from the sheer ecstasy of driving over the new bridge and then you’ll be hit with the brilliance of this year’s pohutukawa blossom. If you think the flower display is bigger and brighter this year – you’re correct! This is a “mast seeding” event caused by heavy rainfall and warm temperatures – the trees will flower profusely and then produce a vast amount of seeds. The bats, birds and bees are loving it!
This year we said goodbye to the iconic Opoutere bus shelter. A complaint from a member of the public attracted the attention of the Council who deemed the structure illegal and removed it. A few local heroes stepped up – an ORRA-lead design team was assembled and the Council were positively engaged to provide funding. Some master craftsmanship was performed by Marty Kingsford and Grant Stuart, a new noticeboard was built by Mike Broome and Chips Jones created an artwork from weatherboards salvaged from the old bus shelter. Thanks to all involved for this smart and useful addition to the village.
Staying Safe In Opoutere This Summer
FIRE RISK
There is always concern over wildfires during summer and this year is forecast to be even hotter and dryer than normal. Onemana Fire Chief, Jo Adams, held an information session in the Ōpoutere Hall in November to share grave concerns about the risk to life and property if there was to be a fire in our area. His primary message was to be prepared – to keep trees and plants clear of houses and to have an evacuation plan for each household. One of his greatest fears is a fire starting from an appliance/ tool battery – never leave a battery charging unattended.
A great source of fire safety information is on the Fire and Emergency NZ “Protecting Your Property” page.
IN CASE OF FIRE – CALL 111. Then call Jo Adams on 0274493034, he and his team are minutes away and can provide other emergency crews with local knowledge.
SURF DANGER
In early 2023 a tragedy unfolded on Opoutere Beach. Rough surf following a cyclone event caused an entire family to be caught in a dangerous rip, resulting in the loss of two precious lives and the hospitalisation of two other people.
There are now a couple of donated surf-skis and lifebelts along the beach to help rescue people who are in trouble – but the beach remains unpatrolled and requires extreme caution at all times.
IN CASE OF A WATER EMERGENCY – CALL 111. Then call Jo Adams on 0274493034, he and his team are minutes away and can provide other emergency crews with local knowledge.
OPOUTERE HAS A DEFIBRILLATOR/AED UNIT
Mounted on the front downstairs wall of 299 Opoutere Road (“Heron’s Hide”) is a fully automated, user-friendly defibrillator unit. Always call 111 before heading for the defibrillator. For more information on defibrillators check out the Hato Hone St John website.
Many thanks to Peter le Heron and Angela Peters for providing a home for this vital piece of safety equipment.
Dates for the Diary
ORRA AGM
9.30am Tuesday January 2 2024 The Opoutere Ratepayers & Residents Association is holding its AGM at the Opoutere Hall (note change of venue this year!).
WORLD FAMOUS OPOUTERE REGATTA
1pm Wednesday January 3 Come to Bruce’s Bay for the bucket races for the kiddies and stay for the swimming and kayaking events. The day culminates in an all-out brawl when the family kayak relays take place and all manner of bad behaviour and outright cheating is normal. There’s a BYO picnic and prize giving in the Michael King Reserve shortly afterwards. *Keep your eyes peeled for notices closer to date, as times may change.
Start practising your swimming, kayaking and cheating now!
SUMMER RUBBISH COLLECTION SCHEDULE
Extra summer rubbish pick-ups start on Wednesday December 27. All the info you need to be on top of your recycling and rubbish needs is here on the TCDC website. This information is specific to Ōpoutere, Onemana and Whangamatā North. Don’t forget to stock up on the tags for the red-lidded bins!
KAPAKAPA WETLAND RESTORATION SITE WORKING BEE
10am-11am Saturday January 6th 2024 All welcome to help the Wharekawa Catchment Care Group to control weeds around recent planting.
Meet at the big puriri tree on the west side of the Kapakapa causeway with gloves, spades, clippers. Rain date 14th Jan 10am.
Nesting Birds, Dogs and People
Sadly, these three things don’t go together well.
Please obey all TCDC and DOC signage relating to dogs near and on the beach, especially at this very important time for our nesting shore birds. The dotterels and variable oyster catchers are good parents but don’t stand a chance against marauding dogs and careless humans. The Wharekawa Spit is a gazetted Wildlife Refuge and is the only place that our avian whānau have protected access to low-tide feeding grounds. The estuary side of the spit is roped off and is off-limits to everyone except DOC officers and their designated volunteers. During the busy holiday period around Christmas and New Year there will be Dotterel Watch helpers at low-tide to protect this feeding area.
Join the Dotterel Watch team this summer – put your name on the roster on the spiffing new noticeboard (replacing the bus shelter) and lend a hand for an hour or two.
Wharekawa Catchment Care Group membership form.
Join the WCCG today and help protect Opoutere’s vital waterways.
COMMUNITY MEETING
FIRE DANGER
IMPORTANT MEETING TO PREPARE FOR THE FIRE RISK THIS SUMMER
OPOUTERE COMMUNITY HALL
SUNDAY OCTOBER 22
2PM – 3PM
DISCUSSION TO BE LEAD BY JOE ADAMS, ONEMANA RURAL FIRE FORCE
ANY QUESTIONS CALL JOE 0274493034
Spring Update
Fire Danger Warning
Your Fire Chief would like a word…
Last week a fire was lit in the base of an old pohutukawa tree on the side of the estuary. Thankfully, the Onemana Fire volunteers were able to put the blaze out, but the fire had the potential to spread to nearby houses. It remains to be seen if the grand old tree will survive the event.
With recent fires in Twizel and Lake Ōhau in mind Fire Chief Jo Adams has a message for all of us – please clear any scrub, weeds and trees that are near your homes. There’s been a lot of growth this year and a dry summer has been forecast, unfortunately a bad combination that elevates the fire risk.
As recommended by Fire & Emergency New Zealand on their website http://www.fireandemergency.nz :
- Prune tree branches to a height of 2 meters or more so ground fire can’t ignite them
- Remove all trees, long grass, shrubs and logs branches, twigs and needles within 10 meters of your house, as they are fuel for fire
The fire crew have noticed several properties in Opoutere with overgrown gardens and trees right up against houses. If you have any questions about this warning Jo Adams is happy to chat with you – call him on 0274493034
Please be vigilant this summer around the village, in the forest and along the beach – if you see something, say something. As Jo said about the recent fire at Opoutere “That tree didn’t light itself”.
Any sign of fire call 111 and Jo Adams (0274493034) straight away, we recommend that everyone has Jo’s mobile number in their phone.
Opoutere Community Hall Society AGM
This Saturday Sept 30th 1pm the new hall society is holding its AGM, please come along if you are interested in the future of the lovely Opoutere Hall. A lot of repair work has been done on the building by the new committee and it will be a good chance to hear what the plans are for the future. All financial members of the hall society are able to vote on matters at the AGM.
See you there!
Bad News For Rats!
It’s that time of year when rats’ thoughts turn to warm, cosy places to nest – that means your garage or, even worse, your house!
Predator Free Opoutere has a backyard rat trapping program that is providing traps to Opoutere Ratepayers & Residents members. The Whangamata Community Board has kindly donated funding for materials that volunteers have made into rat traps – these are safe for pets and perfect for backyard trapping.
Our last lot of traps disappeared very quickly so don’t muck around – if you would like a rat trap for your property see Victoria or Daniel at 305 Opoutere Road and we can set you up with the tunnel, a trap and some delicious lure to tempt your neighbourhood rats to their doom.
While we are talking rats – would you like to get involved with our other trapping activities? We have 40 traps in the beach reserve that are regularly checked, cleaned and baited with non-toxic lures like peanut butter and eggs. If you like the occasional walk in the forest and don’t mind an expired pest then email the team at opouteretrapping1@gmail.com. You can do as little or as much as you can manage and we will provide training and all the safety gear required to do the job (we don’t use any poisons and our traps are all NAWAC approved and humane). We would love to expand our team and welcome some new trappers into our mammalian correction unit!
The birds will love you for it.
FIRE RISK OVER EASTER
Your firm but fair local fire chief, Jo Adams, has his eye on Opoutere and Ohui this Easter weekend. There has not been enough sustained rainfall to relieve the dry conditions in the beach reserve forest. The risk of a catastrophic fire is still very real, even though the days are getting cooler and other areas are lifting their fire bans. There is a detailed fire evacuation notice in the Waiponga Reserve carpark – take the time to read and understand it.
There will be regular beach patrols undertaken this weekend – keep your eyes peeled for the Onemana Rural Fire Force trucks as they travel through the village. Don’t hesitate to call 111 immediately if you see any fires on the beach or near the forest – then call Jo on 027 4493034. The Onemana volunteer fire fighters (all fully trained first responders) live locally and know the area well – they will be there in minutes.
Be safe and have a wonderful Easter weekend.
Have Your Say In Local Matters
There’s a few interesting things happening in the neighbourhood – Thames Coromandel District Council’s Shoreline Management Plan needs community input, Waikato Regional Council is reviewing the Waikato Regional Coastal Plan and the rejuvenated Opoutere Hall Society is soon having its AGM.
There’s even a chance to have your say on a bus service proposal!
TCDC Shoreline Management Plan online community meetings
From TCDC:
“Our online meetings to update an initial group of our communities on our Shoreline Management Plans are underway.
These are important meetings to discuss how we propose managing the hazards from climate change and sea level rise in these areas. It is also to share specific plans for each of these stretches of coastline that have been developed over the three year SMP project.
In some communities, we are discussing maintaining or improving the existing defences.
In others we have done a feasibility study on building new structures.
The proposed strategy in some of our communities is to retreat from the area in the future.
It is very important that you understand what is being discussed in your area.
Links to online meeting recordings that have occurred so far.
Watch the recording of our Te Puru meeting – Tuesday 5 April.
Watch the Tararu meeting – Wednesday 6 April
Watch the Tairua meeting – Thursday 7 April
Whangamatā (south)Tuesday 12 April at 7pm Click to join Whangamatā meeting
Once you have attended a meeting or reviewed the adaptation pathways, you can provide your feedback by clicking on this link and using our feedback tool.
Or you can email us at ourcoast@ tcdc.govt.nz”
Waikato Regional Coastal Plan
Getting it right for our coasts | Kia tika ai mō te takutai
Waikato Regional Council has been reviewing its Regional Coastal Plan with input from iwi, coastal residents and users, industry and other key stakeholders on the issues and gaps they’ve identified with the current plan.
The feedback focused on important issues like how we balance social, cultural and economic values with environmental requirements, how we can guard against the loss of public access, protect indigenous biodiversity and the historic heritage along our coasts, how we will respond to the impacts of climate change, and manage things like coastal erosion and coastal inundation.
We’ve used this feedback, along with statutory requirements, to inform our approach to sustainably manage our region’s coastal marine area which we’re now ready to test with you to make sure we’re on the right track.
This is your chance to have your say on key policy within the coastal plan. The feedback you share will help shape a full draft of the coastal plan which we anticipate will be notified for public submission in late 2022.
Feedback is being sought by the end of April 2022: https://yourvoicematters.waikatoregion.govt.nz/coastal-plan-review
This is a great opportunity for Opoutere to communicate to WRC our values and concerns – think about how the estuary has silted up, for example. This is a chance to draw attention to such problems.
The Opoutere Hall Society AGM
The hall has a “steering committee” that is getting ready for its first AGM on the 17th April where the official committee will be elected. Please see below for their inaugural report that includes the email list of the executive if you have any queries for them.
The Opoutere Community Hall Report
Download
Coromandel/Hauraki Bus Service Survey
This is from Denis Tegg, Thames Coromandel constituent member on Waikato Regional Council:
“Waikato Regional Council has proposals for new public transport bus services in Thames-Coromandel and Hauraki and is seeking public feedback. These include return connections between Coromandel town and east coast towns to Thames and from Waihi Beach-Waihi-Paeroa-Ngatea to Thames. There would also be a new service from Thames through Te Aroha to Hamilton (hospital).
The regional council is also asking for comment on a proposal to take over rating for public transport from district councils.
It would be great if you could provide feedback and maybe some group you belong to could participate also. Feedback ends on 30 April.
A quick feedback questionnaire is online here –
More information is here – https://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/council/policy-and-plans/long-term-council-community-plan-annual-plan-and-annual-report/ltp-amendment/ “
Dangerous Ocean Swell Warning
From Thames Coromandel District Council:
Preparing for Cyclone Cody
“Ex-Tropical Cyclone Cody is due to bring gale force winds, huge seas, and heavy rainfall between Sunday night through to next Tuesday.
Our Council’s Emergency Management Team is advising everyone to plan and be in a safe place by late afternoon on Sunday with supplies for last for 24 hours, including provisions if power is out for some time.
Campervans and motorhomes need to move away from the coast for the next two days and park up at two safe locations; the Mercury Bay Sports Park in Whitianga, or the Shoppers carpark next to Goldfields Mall in Thames.
Beach access to Cathedrel Cove may be restricted due to increased swell from the approaching cyclone. Rangers will make desicions on access on a day-by-day basis.
“Travelling during the storm will likely be hazardous. Err on the side of caution and be in a safe place by Sunday evening” says Garry Towler, our Emergency Management Manager.
Updates will be posted here as they come to light, and will also be shared on our Council Facebook page, and sent to our e-newsletter subscribers as they come to light. Be sure to like or follow our Facebook page to receive notifications or sign up to our e-newsletter database to remain up to date. “
Onemana Rural Fire Force contact details:
Now is a good time to put this number in your phone:
027 449 3034
Jo Adams and his crew are fully-trained first responders and can attend any type of emergency. Call the above number after dialling 111 and the crew, several of whom live in Opoutere/Ohui, can be with you very quickly.
At this time of year the forest and surrounding areas are tinder dry and the threat of fire is top of everyone’s mind. Any sign or smell of fire – call 111 then call the Onemana crew.
Water/beach emergencies have increased this summer – please keep an eye on other people in the surf, many visitors may not be familiar with the changeable beach conditions and can easily get into trouble. Opoutere/Ohui does not have a surf patrol, the nearest patrolled beaches are Onemana and Whangamata.
Stay safe, everyone.
Goodbye 2021 – Hello 2022
What a year it has been – these months and months of bach-owners being away from our beloved Opoutere left the beach and the village unusually quiet – especially on the beach where nesting birds got on with hatching their eggs in relative peace and tranquility. It will be wonderful to see familiar faces over the summer – if you’re using a mask don’t forget to flick the eyebrows up in a friendly greeting!
Summer Information
TCDC COVID Requirements – please visit the TCDC website for up to date details on how to stay safe in the district this summer.
Fire Ban – a total fire ban applies in the Coromandel from late December to early February each year. This is particularly important in Opoutere/Ohui as the beach reserve forest is dry and has many dead trees that pose a catastrophic fire risk.
Opoutere is very lucky to have an active local volunteer fire force based in Onemana. We appreciate that they give up many hours of their own time and would willingly put themselves in dangerous situations to keep us all safe. Give a thumbs up to the yellow trucks patrolling through the village and along the beach over the summer.
Please keep your eyes open and don’t hesitate to dial 111 if you see fire. Explore permits and rules here: checkitsalright.nz and stay safe over summer.
Dotterel Watch – stop by the bus shelter to add your name to the roster for the busy holiday period. It’s a lovely opportunity to spend a couple of hours minding the low-tide feeding grounds on the spit, spotting baby dotterels is a bonus.
Dogs on the beach – Unlike the summer changes in rules for dogs on other local beaches please note that Opoutere’s dog control rules are the same year-round – dogs on lead on the beach north of the campground entrance (yellow benches), dogs banned on the beach south of the campground entrance and on the Wharekawa Wildlife Refuge (spit area), dogs on lead on the path from Waiponga Reserve carpark to the campground, dogs off-lead in the forest. Take a minute to familiarise yourself with the map in the Waiponga Reserve carpark. From TCDC:
“The most important rule to remember is that dogs must be on lead unless specified otherwise. So, when in doubt, put your dog on a lead.”
ORRA AGM – 9.30am Sunday 2nd January 2022, Opoutere School.
As the Coromandel has entered the traffic light framework at orange, the ORRA Committee has agreed that we can proceed with the AGM at this stage. It will be held in the Opoutere School senior classroom (not the hall as previously notified) on 2 January 2022, for fully vaccinated attendees only who will be required to scan-in using the school’s QR code, and to show their My Vaccine Pass.
We will also ask for masks to be worn; there will be no organised socialising after the AGM,
and the meeting itself will run to a strict timetable.
Should the Coromandel Traffic Lights Protection Framework turn Red before 2 January 2022
the ORRA AGM will be postponed – possibly to Easter.
Regatta Postponed To Easter – out of an abundance of caution, due to the COVID situation, the decision has been made to postpone the annual regatta to Easter.
Summer Rubbish and Recycling Schedule – the summer collection schedule begins on Monday 27 December 2021 and ends Saturday 12 February 2022.
For all the details please follow this link to the TCDC website.
Support Swappa Pottle – A New Compost Initiative
Check out the Whangamata Resource Recovery Trust Compost 2 Go Project. Fill a pottle with plant and kitchen scraps this summer…don’t add to the landfill. Phone 027 286 5709 for your Swappa Pottle!
Local Music Events – just along the main road towards Whangamata there’s going to be three outdoor events held at popular venue Joe’s Farm. Coro-Events are holding Sundown (02 January), DanceFarm (08 January) and Kickdown (20-23 January).
Support Local Business – share the love!
Grab a copy of the Whangamatā News for local news and details of many local tradespeople and service providers. It’s a terrific publication full of interesting articles and useful information – online copies can be found here or on Facebook @Whanganews
The View From Opoutere 