There were no apologies.

Pursuant to Section 46A(7) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987, the Chairman called for late items to be accepted. There were no late items.

RESOLVED

THAT the minutes of the meeting of the Planning and Finance Committee held on Thursday 14 December 2000 be taken as read and confirmed.

PF01/ 1 Gordon/Laurich CARRIED

His Worship commented that he had received some very positive comments from the public regarding the recent Karangahake Reserve upgrade.

It was noted that more information signs at the Reserve would be beneficial. Council would work in conjunction with the Department of Conservation to provide some informative signage on the Reserve.

The Community Services Manager’s monthly report has attached for the Committee’s consideration.

The General Manager presented the report in the Community Services Managers absence.

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received.

PF01/2 Gordon/Hayden CARRIED

Following the de commissioning of the Paeroa Raw Water intake at Dickeys Flat on the Waitawheta River, the three swing bridges servicing the ‘gorge’ section of watermain were rendered redundant. The Department of Conservation had agreed; two at their request and one as a result of an offer from Council, to take ownership of the bridges to add to their Karangahake Walkway system.

The agreement proposed by Council and offered to the Department of conservation for the transfer of ownership of the Ohinemuri and Waitawheta River Swing Bridges was presented.

RESOLVED

THAT the agreement proposed be approved by Council and offered to the Department of Conservation for the transfer of ownership of the Ohinemuri and Waitawheta River Swing Bridges.

PF01/3 Hayden/Morrison CARRIED

The relocation of the entrance to the Martha Mine had necessitated the placement of the site security office on a small area of road reserve. The relocation has been undertaken as part of the Waihi Gold Mining Company’s noise reduction measures. A copy of the licence was included in the agenda.

RESOLVED

THAT the licence to occupy road reserve as specified on the attached licence be approved.

PF01/4 Laurich/Hayden CARRIED

It was noted that one of the sections in the River Road subdivision at Ngatea required filling to finish it off. The Property Officer would look into this.

A copy of the submission that had been forwarded to Local Government New Zealand on behalf of the Thames Valley Combined District Civil Defence Committee was presented.

RESOLVED

THAT the submission on the CDEM Bill made on behalf of the TV Combined District Civil Defence Committee be approved and supported.

PF01/5 Hayden/Morrison CARRIED

The General Manager advised that Jennifer Riley had tendered her resignation to embark on her overseas experiences. A replacement for Jennifer was currently being sought.

CORPORATE SERVICES DEPARTMENT REPORT (01.012.024)

The Corporate Services Manager’s report on the operations of the Corporate Services Department for the month of December 2000 and financial statements for the 6 months to 31 December 2000 were attached for members’ consideration.

A payments listing for the month of December 2000 was tabled at the meeting for members’ information.

RESOLVED

THAT the report on the operations of the Corporate Services Department for the month of December 2000 and the interim financial reports for the 6 months to 31 December 2000 be received.

PF01/6 Morrison/Laurich CARRIED

It was noted that the rates debtors was down.

The General Manager updated the Committee on the Karangahake Reserve Upgrade costs to date. There were still some outstanding items to be completed.

The Committee agreed that the job should be finished as soon as possible.

It was noted that it was important that the public knew where the water meters were located on their sections and did not cover them up.

Reports of the matters dealt with by way of delegation from the period 1 December 2000 were attached separately for the Committee’s information.

RESOLVED

THAT the reports of delegated matters be received.

PF01/7 Munro/Hayden CARRIED

The Planning and Environmental Services Manager had reported on the recent activities of the Planning and Environmental Services Department.

The report, which includes details on both the Consents and Monitoring Divisions, was attached for the Committee’s consideration.

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received.

PF01/8 Morrison/Laurich CARRIED

The Planning & Environmental Services Manager advised that the Environment Court had granted consent to HG Leach & Co for their application for a landfill at Tirohia. Twenty working days had been given for Council to seek an award for costs.

His Worship commented that Council needed to seriously look at going for costs due to the large amount of money the appeal had cost the ratepayers of the Hauraki District.

After a considerable discussion it was agreed that in this case Council in the hope that this would be the end of the matter would not seek costs.

The Planning & Environmental Services Manager advised that a workshop was required to discuss the Sale of Liquor Policy. A workshop would be held on the 22 February after the Ordinary Council meeting.

The Planning & Environmental Services Manager advised that the Liaison Officers position had been of value to all parties (the Company, Council and residents) and it had been agreed to provide the Liaison Officer Service for a little longer than required by the conditions.

The Waihi Gold Mining Company had advised that they intended to continue to exercise the provision of the consent in respect to additional work hours.

FIELDWAYS CONSTRUCTION SERVICES (02.631.999)

Attached was a letter from Bronwyn Wightman on behalf of the Ratepayers/Fieldway Creditors of Hauraki District Council requesting the opportunity for a delegation to be heard at the meeting.

Bronwyn Wighman attended the meeting at 2.20 pm and addressed the meeting with a number of questions regarding Fieldway Construction.

The Chairman advised that if a copy of the request was left with Council staff they would endeavour to respond.

The General Manager advised that a response to the questions would be given as soon as possible.

The Planning & Environmental Services Manager outlined the decision given by the Hearings Committee heard on 11 September 2000 regarding the objection to a dangerous dog classification by Barbara Elizabeth Davis.

Mrs Davis had installed a collar based fencing system (called a Home Free Pet Containment System) that relied on a wire and a special collar worn by the dog. A conventional fence had not been installed.

The original complainants had lodged further complaints among other things alleging that the notice had not been complied with.

In the Planning & Environmental Services Managers view compliance with the requirements had not been complied with.

After discussion the Committee concluded that the system did not constitute a fence and Council should proceed by way of prosecution against Mrs Davis.

His Worship left the meeting at 2.50 pm.

The Planning & Environmental Services Manager advised that Council had received two formal applications for permission to drive a four-wheel motorbike and trailer onto the beach at Whiritoa.

There are no launching facilities for boats at Whiritoa because of the open nature of the beach and it is only suitable for easily portable small craft that could be launched directly into the surf. Beach Care had provided several access ways that had been designed to limit erosion that could be negotiated by a four-wheel motorbike and small trailer. Apart from the use of a vehicle to launch a boat and for official duties there was no other need that would warrant its use on the foreshore and beach.

After considerable discussion the Committee agreed that permission should be granted for motorbikes to be used on the beach to launch and retrieve boats to the general public and to Murray Sexton for official duties.

PF01/9 Hayden/Gordon CARRIED

The meeting adjourned at 3.10 pm until 3.25 pm.

FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS FOR ROAD IMPROVEMENTS – NGATITANGATA ROAD, WAIHI (81.000.999)

Attached was a report from the Consents Officer (Planning) regarding the financial contributions for roading improvements for Ngatitangata Road, Waihi.

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received.

PF010/10 Gordon/Hayden CARRIED

The Consents Officer (Planning) advised that Council Officers required direction from the Committee to assist officers to establish a clear policy regarding roading contributions, particularly the parameters that need to be considered to determine "reasonableness" (e.g. public benefit: private benefit) – not just for Ngatitangata Road but for all unsealed rural roads.

The best way forward would be to establish a sub committee of two or three Councillors to work with staff to develop a policy initiative for financial roading contributions for reporting back to the Planning & Finance Committee at the earliest practical opportunity. A response to the issues was needed within the next month or so in order to deal with the subdivision application at hand.

After discussion the Committee decided:

RESOLVED

THAT a sub committee comprising of members of the Hearings Committee (Crs Tregidga, Carmine and Gordon) be appointed to work with staff to develop a policy initiative for financial roading contributions for reporting back to the Planning & Finance Committee at the earliest practical opportunity.

PF01/11 Hayden/Baker CARRIED

The Planning & Environmental Services Manager advised that Transit New Zealand had lodged an appeal against the Councils decision to rezone part of the Paeroa Racing Club Land as Residential. It was thought that some agreement had been reached on the matter but it was apparent that Transit wished to pursue the matter.

It was decided that Cr Tregidga together with staff meet with Transit New Zealand and discuss the matter further.

While Council did not agree with Transit’s view it was possible to develop the land without direct access to Highway 26.

His Worship attended the meeting at 4.00 pm.

Attached was a report from the Hauraki District Sport Co-ordinator Jennifer Riley for the 1^st October to 30^th December 2000.

Jennifer attended the meeting to present her report.

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received.

AND THAT Councils appreciation be given to Jennifer for the outstanding job she has done as Hauraki District Sports Co-ordinator.

PF01/12 Morrison/Carmine CARRIED

It was noted that Jennifer had resigned from her job as Sport Co-ordinator to travel overseas.

The Chairman thanked Jennifer for a job well done and wished her well for the future.

Attached was a report from the Community Services Manager regarding the vacant Council land off McMillan Place/Orchard Road, Ngatea.

It was noted that a condition of sale would be that if the College decided to sell the land in the future that they offer it back to Council.

RESOLVED

THAT the Council agrees in principle to offer the land to the College to purchase

AND THAT a sub-committee comprising Crs Carmine, Gordon and Troughton enter into negotiation with the Hauraki Plains College board to agree a value and payment process subject to the rezoning of the land for school purposes.

PF01/13 Morrison/Hayden CARRIED

Attached was a letter from the Chairman of the Waikato Conservation Board congratulating Council on the improvements to the reserve.

RESOLVED

THAT the information be received.

PF01/14 Morrison/Munro CARRIED

Attached was a letter from R & E Blake expressing an interest in purchasing Lot 3 adjoining the Hauraki Plains College ground together with Keith’s reply.

LATE ITEMS

There were no late items.

THAT pursuant to Section 48(a) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987, the public be excluded from the proceedings of the meeting during which the matter listed below will be dealt with ON THE GROUNDS THAT the public conduct of the relevant part of the proceedings of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information where the withholding of the information is necessary to enable the local authority holding the information to carry on, without prejudice or disadvantage, negotiations (including commercial and industrial negotiations).

Subject: Waihi Service Centre (DELETED)

THAT pursuant to Section 48(a) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987, the public be excluded from the proceedings of the meeting during which the matter listed below will be dealt with ON THE GROUNDS THAT the public conduct of the relevant part of the proceedings of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information where the withholding of the information is necessary to protect the privacy of natural persons, including that of deceased natural persons.

Subject: Paeroa Water Treatment Plant (DELETED)

PF01/15 Gordon/Munro CARRIED

RESOLVED

THAT the public be re-admitted to the meeting.

PF01/18 Morrison/Munro CARRIED

The meeting closed at 4.30 pm.

CONFIRMED

D M Carmine

March 2001