As we head into Christmas here's an update on everything you need to know about summer related Council news.

Friday, 23 December 2016 All offices and libraries will close at 3.00pm. It will be business as usual for all offices and libraries from Wednesday, 4 January 2017.

Between Wednesday, 28 December and Friday, 30 December The Thames Admin office including AA services, Mercury Bay and Whangamata Area offices will open at 9.00am and close at 4.00pmdaily. Coromandel Area office will be closed.

Thames, Mercury Bay and Tairua Libraries

Open from 9.00am - 3.00pm daily, except Wednesdays, libraries open at 9.30am as normal policy. Libraries will be closed on public holidays and Saturday, 24 Decemberand Saturday, 31 December.

It will be business as usual for all offices and libraries from Wednesday, 4 January 2017.

Fire permits, bans and exemptions

We move back to a Total Fire Ban over the Thames-Coromandel District Council area including public conservation lands, forests, and offshore islands on 20 December 2016.

The Total Fire Ban will be in effect over the summer or later, if conditions warrant.

Until then, the fire risk is still high so a permit will be required to light most fires in the open. If you see an out of control fire, call the New Zealand Fire Service on 111.

Fire permits are not required for gas-fuelled barbeques, portable gas cookers/stoves, in a public place or on private land providing they are used in a safe, considerate manner and attended by an adult.

Click here for more information regarding any matters relating to fire permits, fire safety and or fire prevention.

Water Conservation

We’re surrounded by water on the Coromandel. It’s easy to think of it as a free resource that will never run out. But the population in some of our communities multiplies 10-fold in summer and if we are smart about our water use we can delay costly new infrastructure. There are other good reasons to be smart about your water use. Click here to find out more and download smart water tips.

Water status update reports are broadcast daily on local radio stations, Facebook or you can find full details of water restrictions under alerts on our home page.

Hounds on Holiday

Bringing your dog on holiday is easier now our local rules are clear and easy to understand for both our residents and visitors.

The new rules came into effect from 1 August 2016, and there may be some changes which could affect where and what time you walk your dog, particularly over the peak summer period.

The new rules help to strike a balance between different community needs and preferences, managing public health and safety, as well as providing exercise and recreational opportunities for dogs and their owners. We've also considered the need to protect wildlife such as dotterel and kiwi.

Although most of our rules are area specific, we do have some that cover the whole district. Here are the district wide rules:

All beaches and parts of beaches(excluding areas described in the bylaw's area specific rules) - Off leash but under control at all dates and times.

All public places (excluding beaches and excluding other public places described in the bylaw's area specific rules) - On leash and under control at all dates and times.

Within children's playgrounds - Prohibited at all dates and times.

On sports surfaces - Prohibited at all dates and times.

Areas identified with temporary restrictions and/or signs - Prohibited or on leash for the duration of the temporary restriction and/or when signs are in place.

Check out our website http://www.tcdc.govt.nz/dogs to find out more information including the area specific rules and maps in your area about walking your dog on our beaches at different times of the year as well as the designated dog walking areas.

Summer kerbside collection

Have you got your rubbish and recycling bins at the ready?

Check out our Summer Kerbside Collection details on our website at www.tcdc.govt.nz/kerbside or in our Summertime Magazine(p184-185).

Regular updates will be posted on our Facebook page.

Everything you need can be found in the Summer Information section of our website.

Summer Events

Coromandel is the place to be this summer with heaps of awesome events throughout the Peninsula to keep you inspired and entertain yourself, your family and your visitors!

Check out Destination Coromandel to find out more about what's on in the Coromandel over the summer.

Some of the events can be found in our Summertime Magazine (p 90-101) and we will be posting regular updates on our Facebook page.

Be in to win a Coromandel experience package

Just tell us what you think of how we're getting news to you!

"We've formulated a Communications Survey because we want to get a better understanding of how people are receiving news and information and also how we can do a better job of letting people know about what's happening in and around Council," says Communications and Marketing Manager Laurna White.

Please fill in our communications survey and tell us what we do well, what we could do better and you will be in to win your choice of a Coromandel experience for two.

Follow the link www.tcdc.govt.nz/survey2016 to fill out the survey and be in to win!

Free Fishing calendar

What will you be doing this summer? if you’re looking for fishing and boating tips for the Coromandel’s west coast – then we still have some FREE copies of our Fishing Calendar. Call us or download it online at www.tcdc.govt.nz/boatramps

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