The future of an all-hazard sirens initiative for Mercury Bay and Simpsons Beach (Wharekaho) is back on the table for discussion.
Grey Power Mercury Bay is seeking clarification from elected members of the Thames-Coromandel District Council (TCDC) and Mercury Bay Community Board regarding the future of the community-driven initiative.
Developed over several years following concern about the removal of tsunami sirens across the Coromandel, and increasing reliance on mobile-only emergency alerts, progress on the initiative stalled earlier this year when the application deadline for funding was missed.
Grey Power had the opportunity to secure approximately $250,000–$300,000 in external funding through NEMA’s CDEM Resilience Fund for two modern all-hazard sirens.
The proposal amassed strong local support, particularly from seniors concerned about power outages, telecommunications failures, and the vulnerability of Mercury Bay during fast-onset emergencies.
On progressing the funding application, Grey Power requested assistance from the Mercury Bay Community Board and TCDC to complete the remaining information and formal sign-off required before the submission deadline.
Unfortunately, the application was not completed before the deadline expired.
Grey Power Mercury Bay president, Linda Cholmondeley Smith says this has caused considerable disappointment within the community, particularly given the early approval from many elected members, including Mayor Revell.
Prior to the last local election, he publicly expressed strong support for reinstating all-hazard sirens and improving emergency warning systems.
Grey Power Mercury Bay members believe the present situation now raises wider questions about governance and decision-making within Council.
President Cholmondeley Smith says although elected representatives publicly indicated support for improved emergency warning systems, the apparent inability to progress a community-supported and externally funded initiative has left many residents questioning where decision-making authority sits between elected members and Council administration.
“Our members believe the community can reasonably expect that, where elected members support a public safety initiative, there should be clear leadership and direction to ensure proposals are at least able to proceed through proper assessment processes.”
Subsequently, Grey Power Mercury Bay is asking for public clarification from elected members as to whether they continue to support, in principle, the installation of all-hazard sirens for Mercury Bay and Simpsons Beach, and whether the initiative will now be considered alongside mobile phone alerts through upcoming Long Term Plan discussions.
Ms Cholmondeley Smith says: “Mercury Bay is recognised as one of New Zealand’s more vulnerable coastal communities for tsunami exposure. Many residents believe the discussion around layered emergency warning remains important.”
