RESOLVED

WPDD04/17 Cox/Paterson CARRIED

MEETING HELD WEDNESDAY 24 MARCH 2004

There were no matters arising.

The Council is taking the view that a claim has been made. There has been correspondence with Council’s insurers and a report will be made to the full Council meeting on the 29^th April 2004.

DRAINAGE REPORT (45.499.002)

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

The tender was awarded to Hydra-Care (NZ) Ltd. To date, there has been no indication from the company as to when it expects to start the works. The Drainage Manager will pursue the matter.

The Drainage Manager to write to Trevor Aitchison advising him of the findings of the survey and hydraulic investigation. The drain has been cleaned but one private culvert is still too high and should be removed.

FINANCIAL REPORT (45.499.003)

The financial report to 9 months ended 31 March 2004 was presented for the members information.

Pouarua Maukoro Drainage Scheme Southern Stage (45.603.999)

Guy Russell and Ian Sara from Environment Waikato attended the meeting to discuss issues relating to the construction of the proposed Muggeridge pump station as a Piako River Scheme asset.

Environment Waikato has confirmed that the pump will be constructed by the Piako River Scheme which will fund 25% of the capital costs. The WPDD will fund the local share of 75%, and will operate the pump(s) in the same manner as all existing EW pump stations, ie maintain the weed screens and pay the power charges.

Council will need to recover the local share via the drainage rates. The Piako River Scheme Classification (Drainage Layer) would need to be reviewed.

The design and implementation of the project will be undertaken by Environments Waikato’s Asset Management Group. It is programmed for the next financial year. Council has previously undertaken considerable investigation and preliminary consent works, and this would be made available to Environment Waikato. Nigel Hughes of Hughes Management could still be involved. Preliminary design and estimates could be completed within the next financial year. Work already undertaken by Council has confirmed that the original proposed site is the most suitable for the majority of the pumping capacity required for the southern stage of the Pouarua Maukoro Drainage Scheme.

It was suggested that the scheme could be implemented in stages, but that the work be designed and programmed so that major components are completed in one stage, e.g. the outlet structure and Kaihere Road bridge or culvert should be constructed to the final size so that there is no re-working. Staged construction or installation of pump capacity could be implemented as needs dictate due to the long term peat settlement.

Environment Waikato will report to Council and through the Schemes Liaison subcommittee.

EW will prepare budget costs, confirm the consent requirements, and prepare likely rating scenarios. It is unlikely Council will utilise the loan offer made by EW for the local share, but rather fund that cost internally. The WPDD would prefer to see all properties receiving benefit pay comparable total drainage rates as other similarly serviced areas.

The Waikaka pump was also discussed with Environment Waikato. It was felt that the land around the pump had settled and the pump was not working efficiently. Drain and land levels have been surveyed, but some further survey is required to tie in to the current pump probe levels. It was noted that reconstruction or modifications to the pump due to changing conditions were a scheme cost and it was the scheme’s responsibility to ensure pumps continue to provide the scheme levels of service.

DOC has put the application on hold as the department is apparently wanting to develop a consistent set of conditions over the whole country.

Meeting closed 12.15pm.

CONFIRMED

R G Hicks

May 2004