The Drainage Manager introduced Mr Ken Thompson, Council’s new District Engineer.

RESOLVED

THAT the apology of J Hayward, M Purnell and D Challis be received and sustained.

WPDD01/1 Carter/Speedy CARRIED

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 none.

RESOLVED

THAT the minutes of the meeting of the Western Plains Drainage District Committee held on Wednesday 29 November 2000 be taken as read and confirmed.

WPDD01/2 Clark/Speedy CARRIED

It was noted that the high costs regarding the Robinson pump was due to an error in the coding of the cost to the WPDD of the Asset Management Plan to the pump instead of miscellaneous.

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

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received.

WPDD01/3 Bennett/Speedy CARRIED

The Drainage Manager presented tables of the drains sprayed to the end of December 2000.

The drains cleaned to the end of December 2000 were presented. The main activity had been the clearing of the Pouarua Canal from Rawerawe Road to State Highway 2.

The Drainage Manager advised that a silt check had been done on the Pouarua Canal. The main area of silting was at the Pouarua pumps but this was minimal.

The Drainage Manager advised that Smythes Floodgate on the Miranda Foreshore had developed a leak parallel to the pipe barrel. The structure was in good condition, although very short in length. The stopbank had been excavated and properly compacted fill replaced New sealing rubber and hanger bar bolts had been fitted to the floodgate.

Mr W Bennett attended the meeting at 11.00 am.

The Drainage Manager gave an update on the work to date on the northern area pumps.

Competitive pricing had been received on all the components and suppliers selected. The main contractor had commenced offsite casting and expected to commence on site at the end of January 2001. This start time has since been revised to 12 February, but on-site works time will be reduced due to the revised method of construction.

The Drainage Manager advised that the access road to the Central Road North pump had been completed. There had been an approach from a landowner to have the road developed for him to use for a tanker track to his new cowshed. The Committee discussed this and decided that this road was only an access road to the pumps not a public road. The matter would be further discussed with the Roading Manager.

It was noted that four of the pumps had been delivered ahead of schedule.

The Drainage Overseer reported that the drain had been cleaned on the roadside at the junction of Hopai Road, and had ended up with spoil 800mm higher than the road. A dish drain had been left alongside, in case it was required to build up into bank in the future. The Drainage Overseer had met with the landowner and advised that they did not want the spoil on their property.

There was discussion regarding the standard of culverts that landowners were constructing.

The Drainage Manager advised that there was spoil from the quarry that could be used for the stopbank but this needed to be finalised.

The Drainage Manager advised that this Committee expected to meet again in February-March.

Estimates for the next financial year were currently being prepared.

The Drainage Manager advised that the Land Drainage Asset Management Plan was nearing completion. It would be reviewed by the Project Overview team then reported to the various Drainage Committees in February prior to adoption by Council, scheduled for March 2001.

A plot of the Ngatea Monthly Rainfall depths for the last 7 years was presented. The rainfall totals for November and December were 65 and 79mm respectively.

The financial report to 30 November 2000 was attached for members’ information.

RESOLVED

THAT the financial report on the operations of the Western Plains Drainage Committee for the 5 months to 30 November 2000 be received.

WPDD01/4 Clark/Pratt CARRIED

The Drainage Manager advised that there had been an enquiry from a person who was proposing to lease the subdivision done by Max Stanfield at Waitakaruru and establish a tourist attraction there. He wanted to use the stopbank in the venture. The Committee’s thoughts were invited.

The Committee agreed that as long as the prime purpose of the banks, which was flood protection, was not affected, there would be no problem. Provided also that maintenance access was assured.

It was decided that the drainage tour should be left until the northern area pumps had been completed. It was proposed to hold the tour in April.

There were no late items.

The meeting closed at 12.00 pm.

CONFIRMED

R G Hicks

February 2001