There were no apologies.

There were no late items.

MEETING HELD WEDNESDAY 20 DECEMBER 2006

RESOLVED

THAT the minutes of the meeting of the Eastern Plains Drainage District Committee held on Wednesday 20 December 2006 be taken as read and confirmed.

EPDD07/01 Hunter Speedy CARRIED

DRAINAGE REPORT (45.498.002) (137KB)

The monthly report from the Drainage Manager was presented for the Committee’s consideration

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received.

EPDD07/02 Speedy/Flint CARRIED

Roger Hunter commented that a number of drains have not been sprayed in the Orongo Road area, being Cox’s, Pines and Nash properties. These drains have been recorded as having been sprayed but it would appear that the full lengths of the drains have not.

The Drainage Overseer noted the drains mentioned by Roger Hunter. He advised the members that there have been issues with the effectiveness of the spray being used due to a poor batch of chemical received from the supplier which may have resulted in a substandard kill of the weed.

A request has been received from a landowner with property on both sides of Hauraki Road to gain the Committee’s view on utilising the Willow Drain bridge on the Hauraki Road as a stock underpass. Aerial photos of the site were attached for the Committee’s consideration.

The Committee agreed in principle that the landowner must present plans for the underpass and requested they be advised to formally apply to Council for permission to construct an underpass.

Ngatea rainfall was 200mm below average for the year to date from July 2006.

FINANCIAL REPORT (45.498.003)

The financial report for the 7 months ended 31 January 2007 was presented for members’ information.

RESOLVED

THAT the financial report on the operations of the Eastern Plains Drainage Committee for the 7 months ended 31 January 2007 be received.

EPDD07/03 Caddy/Schouten CARRIED

Drainage – Kerepehi Industrial Subdivision Development

The Drainage Overseer advised of the stormwater drainage completed at the Kerepehi Industrial subdivision and construction of a retention pond as part of the stormwater attenuation method to restrict runoff from the developed site.

The Drainage Overseer raised a concern that properties with crops planted adjacent to Council drains. Access for maintenance is restricted. The Drainage Manager advised the members that the Land Drainage bylaw has provisions for restricting activities such as building, fencing or planting within 15m of Council drains. Stacking of hay and silage bales is also a problem.

The members suggested that a notice be put into the local paper advising farmers of this matter. The Drainage Manager will consult with the Hauraki Herald page 7 compiler to formulate an article. A further article prior to crop planting time will also be printed.

A member asked if any response regarding information on the control of the noxious Alligator weed has been received from Environment Waikato. The Drainage Manager advised that Environment Waikato have not yet responded to drainage staff regarding information on methods of eradication and chemicals that may be used for this purpose. It was requested that staff follow up this matter with Environment Waikato.

The meeting closed at 2.50pm.

CONFIRMED

K J Reid

April 2007