RESOLVED

CCWW04/14 Trembath/Welsh CARRIED

MEETING HELD TUESDAY 3 AUGUST 2004

RESOLVED

THAT the minutes of the meeting of the Consultative Committee Water and Wastes held on Tuesday 3 August 2004 be taken as read and confirmed.

CCWW04/15 Baker/Trembath CARRIED

A report from the Utilities Manager was presented. Also presented was a report prepared by Montgomery Watson Harza New Zealand Ltd, Engineering Consultants regarding the Kerepehi Wastewater Discharge Consent Renewal.

The current status of the resource consent application was outlined. Ms Anderson stated that Iwi will liaise with Council regarding the resource consent application. She outlined concerns for Iwi relating to the sustainability of the water supplies and protection of the native fish population in the Hauraki District and the importance for processes to be put in place to regulate the taking of water and discharge of wastewater.

Cllr Baker stated that sustainability of the water supply and regulating of wastewater discharge is an important issue to all communities within the district.

The Utilities Manager of Water Supply stated that the Regional Council are looking at an overall assessment of the water catchments. He stated that some people are taking water without resource consents. People are permitted to take water as their resource consent allows them.

The Utilities Manager of Wastewater stated that the consulting firm (MWH NZ Ltd) are working with Environment Waikato to review all aspects of the Kerepehi Wastewater Discharge Renewal consent. Consultation will continue with local Iwi representatives and other interested parties who have expressed an interest in the upgrading of the facility.

A decision has been made as to the interceptor tank supplier for the Waitakaruru Wastewater Scheme. The preferred treatment process is now being checked to make sure that it will meet all the resource consent conditions and the reduction of reticulation costs is presently being investigated.

It is apparent that the scheme costs will be higher than the original budget but will still be significantly lower than tenders that were rejected. The scheme is programmed to be in service May/June 2005. The Utilities Manager stated that there has been a noted increase in public interest in the scheme.

A member asked if the treatment plant is able to be expanded if there is an increase in demand. In response, it was advised that the plant can be upgraded to accommodate a greater demand of wastewater.

DRAINAGE MANAGER’S REPORT – BIOLOGICAL WEED CONTROL (01.015.999) (17KB)

A report from the Drainage Manager and an Environmental Impact Assessment Report for the introduction of ‘White Amur’ into drainage schemes on the Hauraki Plains was presented.

CCWW04/16 Welsh/Baker CARRIED

Mr Gray Jamieson of Waterways Restorations Limited attended the meeting at this time and outlined the history of his company which manages the biological weed control of drains and waterways for regional councils. He explained the experimentation of introducing Grass Carp into the waterways as an effective form of weed control. Other methods of weed control such as mechanical digging and spraying were also outlined.

He emphasised that using the ‘White Amur’ fish as a form of biological weed control was an effective way of managing prolific weed growth. He stated that the weed control is better managed by the fish as opposed to spraying and mechanical digging as the work the fish does by feeding on the weed eliminates the need for reactive methods and is less invasive. Other benefits for the use of the ‘White Amur’ was that there is an improvement in water quality, cost saving relating to the reduction of blockages which need to be cleared and therefore electricity costs are down allowing floodgates and pumps to work more efficiently.

In response to a question regarding a concern that the ‘White Amur’ population would increase to prolific proportions thus endangering the native fish population, the meeting was advised that the fish cannot breed in NZ conditions and therefore would not cause any threat the native fish population.

Mr Peters stated that Iwi’s are concerned that the introduction of the ‘White Amur’ will impact on the ecosystem of the waterways as was the case previously when an over population of the grass carp fish occurred when introduced.

Mr Peters asked the Drainage Manager what security measures would be put in place to protect the native fish life in the waterways. In response, the Drainage Manager stated that floodgates and pump outlets are secured from fish passing through into other waterways and advised that Environment Waikato will undertake an environment assessment report to investigate all aspects of the proposal.

Mr Peters raised concerns regarding the body waste from the fish causes algae bloom, stating that he wished to see more security measures put in place to stop the fish from travelling out of the specified areas in which they have been introduced.

Ms Anderson raised a concern that Iwi were not being properly consulted on the scientific research into the introduction of the fish. She requested that an opportunity be made available to further discuss the proposal to receive a clear understanding of all aspects of the proposal.

Mr Jamieson stated that he was willing to meet with the Ruunanga’s to present more information to them regarding the introduction of the fish. Ms Anderson replied that it would be of most benefit for the Ruunanga’s to be better informed of the proposal.

The Drainage Manager advised that the presentation to the meeting was the first stage in the consultation process.

Cr Trembath stated that he considered that using the fish as a form of biological weed control over the use of chemical sprays was a far more environmentally friendly option.

A report from the Utilities Manager was presented. Also presented was a report prepared by

Maunsell Limited, Engineering Consultants which was a statement of supporting information and assessment of environmental effects regarding an application for the renewal of the Waihou Water Take at Peka Peka by the Hauraki District Council.

The Utilities Manager outlined the research and investigative work required for the increased volumes that Council are proposing to cater for the long term strategy for the Kerepehi Supply.

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received.

CCWW04/17 Trembath/Welsh CARRIED

A report regarding the Water and Sanitary Services Assessment from the District Engineer was tabled at the meeting.

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received.

CCWW04/18 Trembath/Peters CARRIED

The District Engineer reported on the assessment of the water and sanitary services in the district communities.

The Local Government Act 2002 requires all councils in New Zealand to complete an assessment of water and sanitary services. Water and sanitary Services include public and private water supplies; sewerage, storm water, cemeteries, public toilets and solid waste disposal facilities within the Hauraki District.

Issues which are to be covered in the assessment include quality and adequacy of water supply, wastewater arrangements, and the risk to public health where services are not provided by Council.

RESOLVED

THAT the progress noted and the assessment procedures supported.

CCWW04/19 Welsh/Peters CARRIED

The meeting closed at 11.55am.

CONFIRMED

S G Baker

February 2005