RESOLVED

THAT the apology of Brian Dunn be received and sustained.

TRDD03/ 05 Rasmussenl/Brown CARRIED

Pursuant to Section 46A(7) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987, the Chairperson called for late items to be accepted.

There were no late items.

MEETING HELD TUESDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2003

The minutes of the meeting of the Tirohia-Rotokohu Drainage District Committee

held on 18 February 2003 are attached.

TRDD03/ 06 Gillingham/Green CARRIED

A discussion was held regarding landowner, Mr A Malcolm regarding his concerns on the maintenance of the Partridge Drain. One of the members informed the meeting that he is still dissatisfied with the state of the drain. A further approach will be made to Mr Malcolm to arrange machine cleaning of the drain this summer. The drain has been regularly sprayed.

Owner of land is still dissatisfied with the drainage of the water from his land. The Drainage Overseer informed the members that the drain had been weed cleaned. The proposal to install a pump is confirmed as being uneconomic. The option of thrusting a pipe under the state highway would be more expensive than the provision of a pump.

DRAINAGE MANAGER’S REPORT

The Drainage Manager’s report is attached for the Committee’s consideration

RESOLVED

THAT the Drainage Manager’s report be received

TRDD03/ 07 Brown/Green CARRIED

Attached for the members’ information was a table showing drains sprayed and drains mechanically cleaned to 30 June 2003. A new form of reporting the drain maintenance, linked to the chemical database is being developed and no drains have been sprayed this year to date.

The culvert at North Drain has been installed and has been cleaned and is working well.

The summary of the pump hour’s operation for the year ended 30 June 2003 and for the current year was attached for members’ information. The rainfall this calendar year has been reasonably consistent. Environment Waikato are reassessing the diesel powering programme and it is possible that the Mill Road Station may be converted to provide emergency connection to the existing generator. Environment Waikato will advise the outcome of the investigation.

The performance of the Rotokohu Canal is being monitored as on 2 to 3 occasions this year only 2 or 3 pumps have been operating when the water level in the canal above the state highway bridge is beginning to flood the low paddocks. It has been concluded that the cause of this problem is due to the high gradient in the canal, possibly caused by slips, silting, or excessive weed build up. Surveying will be undertaken shortly to confirm the situation. Silt removal can be undertaken at the time of the mechanical clean programme.

There have been discussions with the owner of land regarding Environment Waikato’s proposal to reconstruct the Ohinemuri River stopbanks using material from the stream bank. It was suggested that the Drainage Manager arrange a meeting with land owner to discuss further. This will resolve the problem of drain bank slumping.

There have been several significant slips removed from the lower canal where it runs parallel to Gerrand Road. Latest proposal is to reassess the design for the road works with a view to narrowing the sealed formation width and locating the seal as far as possible to the side of the road away from the Canal.

Budget estimates for the 2004-05 year will be prepared later this year. It was suggested the Drainage Overseer send a letter out to landowners informing them of the cleaning of canals.

FINANCIAL REPORT

The financial report for the 12 months ended 30 June 2003 and 4 months ended 31

October 2003 were attached for members’ information

RESOLVED

THAT the financial report on the operations of the Tirohia Rotokohu Drainage District Committee for the 12 months ended 30 June 2003 and 4 months ended 31 October 2003 be received.

TRDD03/08 Gillingham/Brown CARRIED

The Chairman asked if the Pump Operating tables could be extended to cover splitting up costs for energy and cleaning using two additional codes. Analysis is being done on these costs, and may be able to be incorporated in the report to members.

It was requested that the Drainage Manager check up on costs for Rotokohu Canal work.

Concern regarding the safety of using farm bridges for heavy machinery was raised. The bridges are private property, and owners can restrict the users of the bridges. Drain cleaning can be undertaken without the need to place heavy machinery on farm bridges.

TRDD03/ 09 Green/Brown CARRIED

There were no late items.

Meeting closed at 3.00pm

CONFIRMED

M J Peters