Mr McLeod (Drainage Manager) called the meeting to order and asked for any apologies.

RESOLVED

THAT the apology of Mr Bennett be received and sustained.

WPDD99/24 Spence/Hicks CARRIED

The Drainage Manager called for nominations for the position of Chairman.

RESOLVED

THAT Mr R G Hicks be nominated as Chairman of the Western Plains Drainage District Committee.

WPDD99/25 Purnell/Hayward CARRIED

There being no further nominations, Mr R G Hicks was declared Chairman.

The Chairman called for nominations for the position of Deputy Chairman

RESOLVED

THAT Mr D B Spence be nominated as Deputy Chairman of the Western Plains Drainage District Committee.

WPDD99/26 Speedy/Pratt CARRIED

There being no further nominations, Mr D B Spence was declared Deputy Chairman.

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

RESOLVED

THAT pursuant to Section 46A(7) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987, the following late items be accepted for discussion.

Waihou Valley Scheme and Piako River Scheme Liaison Sub-Committee Member

WPDD99/27 Hayward/Clark CARRIED

RESOLVED

THAT the minutes of the meeting of the Western Plains Drainage District Committee held on Wednesday 24 March 1999 be taken as read and confirmed.

WPDD99/28 Speedy/Carter CARRIED

It was asked whether there was any discussion held at the last meeting of the Piako River Scheme Advisory Sub-Committee regarding late submissions and extra time being allowed for a solution until adequate time had been given for consideration of these submissions.

A further meeting of the Advisory Committee was to be held on Wednesday 28 April 1999 at 1.30 pm.

Mr Purnell commented that personally he felt that the process of the Piako River Scheme Draft Differential Rating System carried out so far was disappointing and it had not been given the consideration that it was due.

Mr Cavers advised that the survey of the low spots on Mr Langevelds farm on Hopai Road West had been carried out. He would be writing to Mr Langeveld and advising him of the results.

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

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received

WPDD99/29 Carter/Pratt CARRIED

A table of the drains sprayed to the end of March was presented for member’s information.

The drains that had been mechanically cleaned during the period were: Rawerawe North Side, Orchard West North and Kaihere Roadside North.

Mr Cavers advised that the culvert under the road by the Service Station at Waitakaruru had been installed.

Mr Cavers and Mr McLeod had met with Mr and Mrs Costello and discussed some options for the proposed works that were to take place as part of the Waitakaruru Flood Protection Scheme. The Costello’s would be the most affected party by the proposed works. The Costello’s advised that they were not proposing any further subdivision of their land. They were also prepared to consider the option of stopbanking. A plan would be prepared and presented to them.

Another issue discussed was the placement of a culvert outlet as an interim measure until the proposed work was carried out.

RESOLVED

THAT the options of piping the drain as an interim measure proceed.

WPDD99/30 Purnell/Hayward CARRIED

Preloading on both of these floodgates had been completed.

A request had been received for a section of open drain on the northern side of Ngatea to be piped. It was understood that the request had been made on the basis of the property owners meeting a portion of the capital cost for the culvert. It was suggested that the landowner share be based on the length that they have facing the drain. The estimated cost to pipe this section of drain was $12,000.

RESOLVED

THAT the property owners be approached to confirm if they wish the drain to be piped

AND THAT the drain be piped if the property owners agree to fund 25% of the cost of the project

SUBJECT TO a written agreement being obtained from all the landowners.

WPDD99/31 Speedy/Spence CARRIED

Mr Cavers advised that the consultants had been instructed to go ahead and prepare the documents for the northern area. Mr Cavers would present the documents at the next meeting.

Mr McLeod presented a plot of the Ngatea monthly rainfall depths for the last 6 years. The total rainfall for Ngatea in March 1999 was 81mm.

Mr Purnell advised that the stream was silting up upstream of the State Highway bridges. A length of the stream would need to be cleaned (the meander). Mr Cavers advised that the meander was on the programme to be cleaned this year.

The financial report to 31 March 1999 was attached for members’ information.

RESOLVED

THAT the financial report on the operations of the Western Plains Drainage Committee for the 9 months ended 31 March 1999 be received.

WPDD99/32 Challis/Speedy CARRIED

Mr Carter advised that rubbish was being dumped on Pouarua South Road. Mr Cavers advised that if Council was notified the rubbish would be sorted through to find some form of identification and then the offenders would be notified and given the opportunity to remove it.

The Waikato Regional Council had been advised that the Hauraki District Drainage Committees were of the view that they should have three representatives on the proposed Liaison Sub-Committee being Western Plains (1), Eastern Plains (1) and Drainage Districts East of the Waihou River (1).

RESOLVED

THAT Mr Hicks be the representative from the Western Plains Drainage District on the Waihou Valley Scheme and Piako River Scheme Liaison Sub-Committee.

WPDD99/33 Challis/Purnell CARRIED

RESOLVED

THAT in Mr Hicks absence Mr Challis be the representative.

WPDD99/34 Speedy/Carter CARRIED

The meeting closed at 12.10 pm.

CONFIRMED

R G Hicks

May 1999