RESOLVED

THAT the apology of P Paterson and D E Challis be received and sustained.

WPDD04/51 Carter/Speedy CARRIED

The Chairperson welcomed the Mayor to the meeting. His Worship spoke of his interest and awareness of the important drainage issues which are of concern to landowners in the Plains district.

Pursuant to Section 46A(7) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987, the Chairperson 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.

- Members Expenses of Environment Waikato River Schemes Liaison Committee Meetings

The item could not was not on the agenda because the information was not available by the agenda deadline.

Discussion on the item could not be delayed because the item needed the urgent attention of the Committee before the next meeting.

WPDD04/52 Cox/Speedy CARRIED

MEETING HELD WEDNESDAY 27 OCTOBER 2004

RESOLVED

THAT the minutes of the meeting of the Western Plains Drainage District Committee held on Wednesday 27 October 2004 be taken as read and confirmed.

WPDD04/53 Cox/Speedy CARRIED

Members asked when the extension of piping in Harris Place Ngatea would commence. The Drainage Manager advised that the extension of the drain will be undertaken when the crops are harvested.

Mr Holten has been advised of the results of the survey of the Phillips Road culvert invert levels.

DRAINAGE REPORT (45.499.002) (41KB)

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

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received.

WPDD04/54 Spence/Hayward CARRIED

The Drainage Manager advised there had been an expression of interest for the supply of chemical. Any chemical from a new supplier will be trialled to confirm its effectiveness against the current brand in use.

Regular inspections have been undertaken.

It was advised that discussions have been held with the Board of Trustees of Hauraki College regarding the proposed construction to be carried out to the piping at this location. It was advised that a figure of $28,000 has been estimated for the upgrade.

The Committee asked whether a contribution towards the upgrade could be sought from the College. The Drainage Manager suggested that a letter be written to the school requesting a confirmation date of when it would be suitable to the school for Council to carry out the work and if they are prepared to fund a percentage of the upgrade.

The reach of roadside drain from the water scour valve chamber north of Hauraki Plains Motors, to the intersection with the Paul Leonard Drain has a total length of 444m. The works proposed in this reach include 114m of 375mm diameter, 140m of 450mm diameter, and 190m of 600mm diameter pipe, plus four manholes, and associated berm sumps and connections. The works also include the removal of existing substandard culvert crossings and some pipework of unknown quality, plus reinstatement of vehicle crossings and re-establishment of the grassed berm areas.

The apportionment of the estimate for these lengths has been calculated. The practice adopted in the urban areas for the piping of open drains has been for the adjoining owners to contribute 25% of the cost of the works.

RESOLVED

THAT the piping of 444m of the Pipiroa Roadside Drain proceed, at an estimated cost of $151,000, with a one quarter share of the reach fronting the rural land on the west side being contributed by the adjoining owners.

WPDD04/55 Spence/Speedy CARRIED

The Drainage Manager stated that the application has been lodged with the department of Conservation, and advertised as required. Submissions will close on 7 December. The report will be an agenda item for the upcoming Council Consultative Committee on Water and Waste.

A submission opposing had already been received. The Mayor advised he was aware of a similar concern from Ngati Maru regarding the introduction of carp into waterways for the control of weed.

Landcorp Drain

The drain on the northern boundary of the Landcorp property, leading to the Muggeridge Drain has been completed.

Council will take over the maintenance of this drain. It will most likely require a clean next year because of the nature of the ground.

RESOLVED

THAT the WPDD take over the new drain from Pouarua Road to the Muggeridge Drain, and that it be known as the Muggeridge Extension Drain, No B71, with a length of 2300m.

WPDD04/56 Speedy/Bennett CARRIED

Landcorp have proposed a subdivision of the south west portion of the Pouarua Block. The area is some 312ha in extent, bounded by the Maukoro Canal in the west, Torehape Road in the south, Central Road South in the east, and a line from Central Road South to the Maukoro Canal approximately 2.2km north of Torehape Road.

Environment Waikato has been asked to comment on the possible development, as the western side of the proposed lot is subject to mining restrictions, and forms the effective east stopbank of the Maukoro Canal.

No response has been received from Environment Waikato.

The Drainage Manager advised the Committee of the changes which have been made to the structure of reporting to Council since the triennial local government election. District drainage Committee minutes are now to be reported to the full meeting of Council at the end of every month, as the Works Committee is no longer in existence.

It was advised that the election of members to the District Drainage Committees will be held in March-April 2005.

The Mayor left the meeting at 11.40am.

It was decided that Council staff contact the affected landowners proposing a meeting to be held at the culvert on Thursday, 2 December at 10.00am and that a copy of the letter confirming the meeting be sent to local Committee members.

Wayne Bennett advised of a problem of prolific weed growth in the Hopai West Road drain and also that some areas of the drain are collapsing.

FINANCIAL REPORT (45.499.003)

The financial report for the 4 months ended 31 October 2004 was presented for the members’ information.

RESOLVED

THAT the financial report on the operations of the Western Plains Drainage Committee for the 4 months ended 31 October 2004 be received.

WPDD04/57 Bennett/Hayward CARRIED

It was requested by the members of the Committee that more information/explanation on the amount of utility rate charged to the WPDD be provided. The Drainage Manager advised he will speak to Corporate Services regarding this request.

It was proposed that the Committee hold their Christmas function on Friday, 10 December at the Ngatea Water Gardens at 7.00pm.

Discussion was held regarding the agreement for payment to District Drainage Committee members by the Regional Council for their attendance at the meetings of the Environment Waikato River Schemes Liaison Committee. As there was some confusion as to which authority is to pay the members who attend these meetings, it was requested that Council contact the Regional Council to confirm the correct process of payment.

RESOLVED

THAT Council be requested to confirm the payment of District Drainage Committee members for their attendance at the Environment Waikato River Schemes Liaison Committee meetings.

WPDD04/58 Speedy/Bennett CARRIED

The meeting closed at 12.15pm.

CONFIRMED

R G Hicks

January 2005