RESOLVED

THAT the apology of D Spence and M Purnell be received and sustained.

WPDD01/29 Hayward/Clark 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.

- Cost Sharing of Network Charges for Pumps

WPDD01/30 Speedy/Hayward CARRIED

RESOLVED

THAT the minutes of the meeting of the Western Plains Drainage District Committee held on Wednesday 24 April 2001 be taken as read and confirmed.

WPDD01/31 Speedy/Clark CARRIED

There was concern regarding Transit New Zealand’s commitment regarding the road at Waitakaruru.

The Drainage Manager advised that contact was ongoing with Transit New Zealand regarding the issue.

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

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received.

WPDD01/32 Speedy/Pratt CARRIED

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

Tables of the drains machine cleaned to the end of April 2001 were presented.

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

RG & WE Prescott, River Road, Ngatea.

Council’s requirements for drainage access easements were met by the proposal.

Comments was made that there had been discussion by the District Drainage Rate Review Committee regarding the control of the drains going to Lifestyle Blocks. There were a number of issues involved in this process.

There were a number of concerns that member’s had and the Committee felt strongly that these issues needed addressing.

The Drainage Manager advised that a commissioning ceremony for the Hopai West Pump had been held on Tuesday 29 May. He thanked all those who attended.

Comment was made that the water level in the drain was currently too high and the probes would need to be set at an acceptable level to accommodate this. The situation would continue to be monitored.

The Drainage Manager advised that there were some minor site works to be done at the Martinovich pump station. The road would be opened up on Tuesday 5 June 2001 for the installation of the discharge lines.

The Drainage Manager advised that there were time of use controls on the 8V pumps and all other pumps were on 24 hour availability.

The boundary of the area to be rated for the pump costs has still to be exactly defined.

There were also a number of blocks and controls in the drains that would need to be addressed.

Members noted their appreciation to Goldie Stephens and Murray Aitken for the time and effort that they had put in on this project to meet the deadline.

RESOLVED

THAT a letter expressing the Committee’s appreciation for the time and effort put in on the Pouarua Drainage Scheme, Northern Pumps project be sent to Goldie Stephens.

WPDD01/33 Carter/Bennett CARRIED

The Drainage Manager updated the Committee on the situation so far. The various drainage committees had been requested to consider each of their own rating situations to report back to the Review Committee in July.

There were areas in the WPDD area that needed discussion and decisions made regarding the current classifications.

The Drainage Manager would bring maps of the area to the next meeting for consideration.

The Drainage Manager reported on the Piako River Scheme Rating judgement. A report had been received from Environment Waikato with the reserved judgement of the High Court appeal brought against Environment Waikato by the upper catchment ratepayer group.

The Chairman reported to the Committee on issues of interest from the last meeting of the Piako/Waihou River Scheme Liaison Committee meeting.

A plot of the Ngatea Monthly Rainfall depths for the last 8 years was attached. The rainfall total for April was 169mm.

FINANCIAL REPORT (45.499.003)

The financial report to 30 April 2001 was attached for members’ information.

RESOLVED

THAT the financial report on the operations of the Western Plains Drainage Committee for the 10 months to 30 April 2001 be received.

WPDD01/34 Carter/Speedy CARRIED

It was suggested that the Asset Management Fund be outlined in more detail. The Drainage Manager would look into this.

It was noted that a meeting needed to be scheduled for a meeting of ratepayers in the Waitakaruru/Miranda area to discuss drainage issues.

Mr Hayward left the meeting at 11.55 am.

The Drainage Manager tabled a report on the proposed diesel generation of WVS pumps.

A letter from Environment Waikato regarding the proposed energy charges for the WVS pumps, which are to be converted to diesel generation, was also tabled.

The Drainage Manager outlined the history behind the energy charges as they are currently.

None of the pumps in WPDD are to be converted.

The proposal was to have comparable energy costs across the district.

The Drainage Manager would get clarification on this and whether it would apply to the Piako River Scheme pumps operated by the WPDD.

The meeting closed at 12.15 pm.

CONFIRMED

R G Hicks

June 2001