RESOLVED

WPDD03/11 Speedy/Spence 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.

WPDD03/12 Speedy/Cox CARRIED

The Drainage Manager advised that a preliminary survey had been received on the Pipiroa Roadside drain. The final design work on pipe size and costings was being undertaken. These would be available at the next meeting.

There were a number of options for diverting the water from the farm land to the west, including a cut off drain behind the residential sections, and there appeared to be sufficient fall to the north.

Piping of the drain from Hauraki Plains Motors outside the first three properties north down Pipiroa Road would be undertaken as previously discussed.

Mr Bennett attended the meeting at 10.40 am.

The Drainage Manager advised that the issue of the Ngatea Town drain at the rear of the Copper Kettle premises in Ngatea had been discussed at the Plains Ward Committee meeting in March. There was an initial acceptance towards relocating the drain. Costs for digging a new drain would be sought. It needed to be ascertained what the level of the pipes were to see what limitations there were for piping the drain.

Agreement to the cost sharing had been received from two of the three residents. Materials have been ordered so that work can commence immediately.

An on site meeting would be arranged with Landcorp regarding the removal of the block in the Pouarua Roadside drain.

The Drainage Manager would attend an initial meeting with Meritec Consultants to update the information on the area before the review of the southern area pumps was undertaken.

The Drainage Manager commented on the resolution made at the last meeting concerning the need to increase the Ngatea town rate to reflect the extra work as requested by the ratepayers.

The Drainage Manager outlined the current amount properties were paying for drainage rates in Ngatea. He outlined the drain maintenance programme for the year along with other operating costs.

Currently the piping of the urban drains was being subsidised by the rural area as there was only sufficient rate income to cover operational costs. The interest and DiSP was effectively being provided from the rest of the drainage district outside of the urban area.

As part of the Drainage Rate Review the issue of identifying the urban townships as separate entities and recognising that they have more expensive stormwater systems would be addressed.

The WPDD Committee needed to resolve to increase the Ngatea town rate to help reduce the shortfall. Consideration also needed to be given to whether stormwater should stay as a land drainage function or be handed over to the Plains Ward.

After discussion it was agreed that to continue with piping of urban drains the town drainage rate needed to be increased considerably. The other alternative was not to pipe any more urban drains. By doubling the current rate it would allow the committee to maintain the current situation.

WPDD03/13 Bennett/Cox CARRIED

Mr Speedy voted against the motion.

DRAINAGE REPORT (45.499.002)

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

WPDD03/14 Speedy/Spence CARRIED

Tables of the drains sprayed during the period were presented.

Culvert approvals were granted this period as follows:

The Drainage Manager advised that Environment Waikato had been requested to proceed with the application as lodged, which may lead to a hearing if DoC continued with their stated stance.

Design work for the reconstruction of the left and right stopbanks was proceeding.

The contractor had made good progress with the borrow excavation, and had started the reach requiring core-trenching.

Since then a problem had arisen resulting in a slump of the excavated soil into the borrow. There was no loss of protection as the existing stopbank was still intact, however this would result in the need for a variation of the contract. An estimated additional $20,000 could be required to complete the job.

The Drainage Manager advised that negotiations would be held with the contractor regarding the variation.

Environment Waikato had forwarded the preliminary report on the review of the urban areas served by river scheme pumps. Their conclusions support the findings of Opus Consultants. Further consideration of the likely requirements was being undertaken. Environment Waikato had been requested to install diesel generator connections to the two pumps serving the Ngatea urban area.

The Drainage Manager advised that a request had been received from a business in Ngatea to pipe a drain. A cost sharing agreement for a length of drain had been negotiated, with only half of the full length being completed initially.

Environment Waikato had advised the results of the hydraulic assessment of the effects on the Waitoa and Piako Rivers of the proposed scheme works on the Otway basin. In summary, the effects of option 3a (stopbanking and floodgate) was to raise the peak water level in the 50 year event by 0.05m at Maukoro Landing, i.e. 50mm. Option 3b (stopbank, floodgate and pump station) was predicted to raise the level at the same site by 0.07m, i.e. 70mm.

Their conclusion was that ‘there will be little effect to the Piako River system and the lower confines of the Waitoa River due to the proposed Otway Basin flood protection works."

Members voiced their concerns and asked that a reply be sent to Environment Waikato advising them of their concerns regarding the possible increase in costs for maintenance of the lower channel, and the possible increase in ponding and consequent pumping costs.

A plot of the Ngatea Monthly Rainfall depths since 1993 was presented. The rainfall total for February was 105mm.

FINANCIAL REPORT (45.499.003)

The financial report to 28 February 2003 was attached for members’ information.

WPDD03/15 Bennett/Speedy CARRIED

There was concern regarding the accuracy of the figures presented due to the timing of the preparation of the report.

There was no general business.

There were no late items.

The meeting closed at 12.25 pm.

CONFIRMED

R G Hicks

April 2003