RESOLVED

THAT the apology of B Carter and P Paterson be received and sustained.

WPDD02/58 Challis/Cox 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 25 September 2002 be taken as read and confirmed.

WPDD02/59 Speedy/Young CARRIED

An informal meeting of the farmers affected by the Central Road North pump had been held. As a result of this there was a better understanding of how the pump was utilised. Water could go down to the pump as long as the farmers were not adversely affected. The culvert under Hopai Road has a high invert level and will probably not be lowered at this stage. Water levels above the invert level would direct excess flow to the pump.

Mr Spence attended the meeting at 11.40 am.

The Chairman and Mr Speedy had met with the Plains Ward Committee members to discuss the issue of urban development in Ngatea.

The following points were discussed:

It was agreed that there was a plan for the drainage to the south and west of Ngatea but future drainage to the north of the town was an issue.

The Chairman, Drainage Manager and the Drainage Overseer would meet to develop a strategy.

The Drainage Manager advised that he had spoken to the District Engineer regarding the culvert under SH 25 at Waitakaruru. The District Engineer would follow this up with Transit NZ, through Opus Consultants.

A water sample had been taken from the B41 drain in the hope that it would be suitable to trial grass carp. The sample had tested well. Further monitoring will be undertaken prior to any proposal being developed.

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.

WPDD02/60 Cox/Spence CARRIED

The Drainage Manager and Drainage Overseer would be undertaking a site visit to Kaipara to observe their drainage maintenance methods.

The Drainage Manager reported on the Conference he had recently attended. This forum discussed issues such as spraying, and drain related issues. A discussion had been held at the conference regarding a new type of chemical for spaying.

The Chairman commented that it was a good idea to observe other areas drainage practices.

The Drainage Manager advised that the installation of a mobile pump ramp at the Ngatea Town pump has been investigated. Environment Waikato would need to be consulted regarding the positioning of an outlet pipe through the floodgate headwall.

The Chairman asked for issues that needed to be put on the agenda for the next River Schemes Liaison Committee meeting. These meetings were held twice yearly, and it was a good chance to discuss issues of concern. The Drainage Manager would contact Environment Waikato to include some items of concern in the agenda.

Environment Waikato was also continuing their review of the level of service provided to the urban areas by the WVS pumps in Paeroa and the PRF pumps in Ngatea.

Competitive quotes from two contractors had been received for the remedial works.

The Drainage Manager tabled a further report at the meeting. A report from Hughes Mangement on the results of the tender process for the remedial works on the Hopai West Pump Station was also tabled.

The original tender was for the driving of four 450mm diameter steel piles, one at each corner, with an option of driving 2 piles at the front (outlet) end in one stage, and a further 2 piles at the inlet end at a later date. Alternative bids were also invited.

The outcome after a meeting held on Thursday 24 October with the District Engineer, Drainage Manager, Nigel Hughes and Geoff Farquhar of Meritec, was to negotiate with Smithbridge for the driving of 2 x 450mm piles in stage 1, with a modified support to allow attachment of the second pile at some later date if the structure became more level following the fixing of the first pile at the lowest corner.

Members discussed this and agreed.

RESOLVED

THAT Smithbridge be accepted as the contractor

AND THAT 2 x 450mm piles be driven at the outlet end corners, at a cost of $30,800 plus GST

AND THAT the option of fixing the second pile at a later date be taken

AND THAT the driving of two 450mm piles at the inlet corners be delayed pending the monitoring of the performance of the first two piles.

WPDD02/61 Challis/Speedy CARRIED

The construction of this reach would be dependent on the outcome of the consent process, currently lodged with Environment Waikato. Replies from all affected parties and iwi have now been received.

The Drainage Manager advised that the design proposals were being developed for this reach, and for the return banks on the Hot Springs Canal. Landowners had been identified and preliminary consultation would be arranged in the next month.

An assessment of the current stopbank levels from the 2000 survey had been undertaken. A table of the condition of the reaches was presented.

The Chairman commented that the new bigger stopbanks that were being built would require more ongoing maintenance than the smaller ones built in the past.

All landowners had been contacted regarding the works and a site meeting would be required in the next few weeks.

The Drainage Manager commented that he would like to get the job tendered in November so a contract could be in place for December 2002.

There was concern there was sufficient differences in the foreshore reach for the works to be done as two separate contracts, and that the Waitakaruru River State Highway reach which had been rebuilt 8-9 years ago should be brought up to design height again

The Drainage Manager advised that the valuation of the land drainage assets had been reviewed. The new pumps had been included, and re-assessment of the life of existing assets had resulted in little change overall.

A plot of the Ngatea monthly rainfall depths since 1993 was presented. The rainfall total for September was 75.5 mm.

FINANCIAL REPORT (45.499.003)

The financial report to 30 September 2002 was attached for members’ information.

RESOLVED

THAT the financial report on the operations of the Western Plains Drainage Committee for the 3 months to 30 September 2002 be received.

WPDD02/62 Speedy/Cox CARRIED

It was noted that the committee had not seen the end of year financial statement. This would be made available at next months meeting.

It was noted that a priority list had been compiled for the piping of drains in Ngatea. If ratepayers were prepared to make a contribution towards having their drains piped, then they would then take priority.

There were no late items.

The meeting closed at 12.40 pm.

CONFIRMED

R G Hicks

November 2002