RESOLVED

THAT the apology of D Challis and B Pratt be received and sustained.

WPDD01/40 Clark/Hayward 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.

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.

- Review of Local Government Act

WPDD01/41 Purnell/Speedy CARRIED

RESOLVED

THAT the minutes of the meeting of the Western Plains Drainage District Committee held on Wednesday 27 June 2001 be taken as read and confirmed.

WPDD01/42 Speedy/Hayward CARRIED

The Drainage Manager advised that a meeting had been held to discuss obtaining fill from the Tetley’s Quarry for the Miranda-Waitakaruru Foreshore stopbank. Options were still being investigated.

The Drainage Manager advised that he had written to Environment Waikato requesting clarification of the currency of the agreement on water level management between them and DOC. To date no reply had been received, although discussions indicated that the levels were currently low as the outlet culvert adjacent to the Waikaka pump was dry.

The Drainage Manager considered that this was an issue to be resolved between Environment Waikato and the Department of Conservation.

DRAINAGE REPORT (45.499.002)

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

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received.

WPDD01/43 Speedy/Hayward CARRIED

Tables of the drains sprayed to the end of June 2001 were presented.

The Drainage Overseer advised that staff were using a four-wheel motorbike set up with a unit for spraying. This was useful for spraying places that could not be accessed by tractor.

The summary of pump hours for the current year was presented. Regular inspection runs had been undertaken during the period.

Subdivisions commented on by the Drainage Manager during the period were as follows:

Gray/Parker/Hale, Rountree Road, Waitakaruru

The subdivision involved the swapping of parcels of land between three owners. No additional drains or easements were required as Council drains served all the final properties.

The Drainage Manager gave an update on the Pouarua Drainage Scheme, Northern Area Pumps. The Central Road North Pump had been commissioned and was now running.

The settlement of the three stations was continuing to be monitored.

It was hoped that the final costings would be known by the next meeting in August. A de-briefing with those involved in the pumps would be held.

The Drainage Manager advised that once the survey of the land had been completed and the land purchased a proper boundary fence would be erected.

It was suggested that while the survey was being done Environment Waikato might wish to take advantage of it at the same time to finalise the land taken for the Pouarua No 1 pump on the property of Doug Francis.

Contract documentation and preparation for consultation was continuing. Options for material sources were being investigated.

Discussions with Transit New Zealand through their agent Opus International Consultants were continuing on the provision of the culvert under SH 25 to serve the area protected by the Costello stopbank.

The Drainage Manager and the Chairman gave a report on the meeting held with the Miranda/Waitakaruru ratepayers on Tuesday 17^th July 2001.

It was suggested that an experiment be trialed on Chisholm’s property at Miranda to see what effect salt water in the drains had on the weeds that were growing in them. If this helped to control the weeds it may reduce the need for spraying.

The Committee agreed that they needed to be seen to be proactive in looking at alternatives to spraying and were in favour of supporting the trial.

There was concern regarding the pipe at the Booms North floodgate on SH 25 at Waitakaruru where a water supply line was obstructing the culvert entrance. This had been brought to the notice of the District Engineer at the Waitakaruru meeting.

RESOLVED

THAT the Drainage Overseer be authorised to undertake a salt water trial to control some species of weeds on the Chisolm property.

WPDD01/44 Purnell/Speedy CARRIED

RESOLVED

THAT Council be formally asked to remove the pipe at the Booms North SH 25 at Waitakaruru.

WPDD01/45 Purnell/Carter CARRIED

The various drainage committees had been requested to consider each of their own rating situations to report back to the Review Committee in July.

Mr Purnell expressed his disagreement to a flat rate drainage classification being considered for the Miranda/Waitakaruru area.

There was a need to reflect the cost of farming the land in some way. Some balance needed to be arrived at. There were a number of issues that needed to be looked at when classifications were being considered.

Survey for the option of realigning drains to the west of SH 27 at Patetonga south of the Waikaka Stream was being undertaken.

A letter from Environment Waikato setting out their proposed reinstatement of the network variable charge as a cost to the drainage district was attached.

Development of the residential lots in Pipiroa may require a reassessment of the drainage orientation in the vicinity of Buchanan Road/Hauraki Street. A plan of the area was presented.

It was suggested that some thought be given to the drainage of the land so when they were sold a plan would be in place to service the lots.

After discussion the Committee agreed that staff develop a plan on how to drain the land and bring back to the meeting for consideration.

A plot of the Ngatea Monthly Rainfall depths for the last 8 years was attached. The rainfall total for June was 50mm.

The Drainage Manager presented a map of the pumping area boundaries that required formalising.

The Committee looked at the map and discussed where they felt the boundaries should be.

Mr Clark left the meeting at 12.20 pm.

FINANCIAL REPORT (45.499.003)

The financial report to date of financial report to 30 June 2001 was attached for members’ information.

It was asked if someone from the Finance Department could attend the next meeting when the final financial report was presented along with summary of the DiSP account and a list of all the Committee’s assets.

RESOLVED

THAT the financial report on the operations of the Western Plains Drainage Committee for the 12 months to 30 June 2001 be received.

WPDD01/46 Speedy/Hayward CARRIED

There was concern regarding the floodgates at Pouarua Road South and the fact that they were high and dry. It was suggested that a load of dirt be put on the floodgates. It was the farmer’s responsibility to look after these floodgates and the Drainage Overseer would discuss this with the property owners concerned.

Mr Purnell tabled an item regarding the Review of the Local Government Act for member’s information.

Submissions were called for on the document by the 30^th August 2001.

It was suggested that the General Manager be asked what the implications the review would have on the Drainage Committee and Rate Review Committee and whether a submission was being made by Council.

The meeting closed at 12.55 pm.

CONFIRMED

R G Hicks

August 2001