RESOLVED

THAT the apology of W Bennett and C Clark be received and sustained.

WPDD01/53 Spence/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 August 2001 be taken as read and confirmed.

WPDD01/54 Pratt/Spence CARRIED

There were no matters arising from the minutes.

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

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received.

WPDD01/55 Carter/Spence CARRIED

The Drainage Manager advised that settlement of the three stations was continuing to be monitored. The most recent graphs were presented. Settlement of the thrust blocks as well as the sump units was being measured.

Discussion was held regarding pump levels. Now that the levels in the drains had dropped the pumps could be switched to manual to prevent over pumping.

Comment was made that the pumps had run to expectations mechanically wise with the exception of some minor electronic problems.

The Drainage Manager updated the Committee on the Miranda-Waitakaruru Foreshore stopbank design.

It was agreed that the option of digging would be cheaper than to cart fill. Extra material needed to be dug to allow for shrinkage.

The Drainage Manager advised that tendered hourly rates with proven operators would be the best option.

The Committee agreed that the building of the stopbank should proceed from the Karito Canal to the northern boundary with a tendered hourly rate.

RESOLVED

THAT the Miranda-Waitakaruru Foreshore stopbank proceed from the Karito Canal to the northern boundary with a tendered hourly rate for material from a seaward borrowpit.

WPDD01/56 Speedy/Purnell CARRIED

The Drainage Manager advised that the Plains Ward Committee had considered the report on the prioritising of open drains to be piped. As discussed by this Committee there were issues other than financial, which may influence the priority rating.

The Drainage Manager advised that he had had an approach from owners adjacent to the MacQuarrie Place. Drain (No 20 in the report) who had indicated their wish to pipe this section. Due to the removal of vegetation during normal maintenance work, there was a likely collapse of the high wooden fence along the drain.

RESOLVED

THAT the piping of 60m of open drain between Mahana Road and McQuarrie Place proceed at an estimated cost of $7,200, with the local share of 25% to be provided by the adjacent owners.

WPDD01/57 Carter/Speedy CARRIED

A report on the drainage rate class proposals was presented.

The Drainage Manager and the Chairman had met and presented the drainage rate class proposals for the committee’s consideration. Because of the diversity of drainage/flood protection/pumping issues in the WPDD area, a system of three layers with a range of differentials in one layer was proposed. These layers were a drainage layer for most of the WPDD area including all the area serviced by Council drains, an area in the Maukoro Pouarua scheme that is pumped by Council pump stations, and the area to the west of the Maukoro Canal that has flood protection assets provided by Council, ie which is outside of the Piako River Scheme.

The principles in the report would be taken to the Drainage Rate Review Committee.

Discussion was held on whether there should be a contributor rate for the hill catchments. It was agreed that the capability of rating outside of Council’s district would need to be clarified, as much of the upper Waitakaruru River catchment is in Waikato District.

After discussions members were happy with the general principles discussed.

The Drainage Overseer left the meeting at 12.15 pm.

RESOLVED

THAT the principle as discussed be taken forward to the Rate Review Committee.

WPDD01/58 Spence/Carter CARRIED

Mr Purnell noted his disagreement with the proposal discussed. He felt that for proper land management there needed to be one other category that reflected the different costs of providing drainage to various areas.

The Drainage Manager advised that a reply had been received from Environment Waikato regarding the ABCD Flaxblock water levels.

It was agreed that the original agreement still stood.

A plot of the Ngatea Monthly Rainfall depths for the last 8 years was presented. The rainfall total for August was 121mm.

FINANCIAL REPORT (45.499.003)

The financial report to 31 August 2001 was attached for members’ information.

RESOLVED

THAT the financial report on the operations of the Western Plains Drainage Committee for the two months to 31 August 2001 be received.

WPDD01/59 Speedy/Carter CARRIED

There was no general business.

There were no late items.

The meeting closed at 12.40 pm.

CONFIRMED

R G Hicks

October 2001