RESOLVED

THAT the apology of D E Challis, D P Cox, J C Hayward and P Paterson be received and sustained.

WPDD05/47 Speedy/Carter CARRIED

There were no late items.

MEETING HELD WEDNESDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2005

RESOLVED

THAT the minutes of the meeting of the Western Plains Drainage District Committee held on Wednesday 28 September 2005 be taken as read and confirmed.

WPDD05/48 Speedy/Young CARRIED

Proposal to Abandon Floodgates

The Drainage Overseer advised the Committee of the action being taken to abandon the floodgates discharging into the Pouarua Canal on the west bank from SH2 to Hopai Road. The Committee agreed that the Drainage Overseer be given approval to purchase the surplus flapgates from the existing owners for future drainage use.

The Drainage Manager advised that this drain is a Council drain which serves a communal purpose. An area plan was presented to the members to explain the location of the drain.

A member advised that this drain is in need of cleaning. It was suggested that the drain could be diverted to the Central Drain to address the problem of flooding. In response to the suggestion to divert the drain into the Central Drain, the Drainage Manager stated that it is an expensive exercise to divert the drain, also there is an issue of where along the Central Drain should the diversion be made. He advised that it may be more cost effective to maintain the drain as it is, but that levels will be taken to confirm the possibility of diversion. The total drain length could be reduced if the diversion was possible.

R Hicks suggested that initially the drain should be cleaned and sprayed, then levels taken to ascertain where the diversion point should be. It was requested that staff speak to the affected landowners regarding the actions proposed to address the issue of the flooding of the Alan Harris Drain.

The Drainage Overseer advised that he will approach the landowners concerned to explain the action proposed and the impact on the Central Drain.

DRAINAGE REPORT (45.499.002)

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

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received.

WPDD05/49 Bennett/Spence CARRIED

It was advised that the drain on Hopai Road is in need of spraying.

The members advised of their preference for the presentation of recorded rainfall. They stated that they preferred a bar graph to show a daily record of rainfall for the month, rather than an incrementing monthly total.

FINANCIAL REPORT (45.499.003)

The financial report for the 3 months ended 30 September 2005 was presented for the members’ information.

RESOLVED

THAT the financial report on the operations of the Western Plains Drainage Committee for the 3 months ended 30 September 2005 be received.

WPDD05/50 Speedy/Carter CARRIED

It was advised that Duncan Peddie, Councils Management Accountant, will be present at next month’s meeting to present and explain the status of the various capital and loan accounts.

The members reported that there were no other issues relating to drain maintenance they were concerned about.

The meeting closed at 12.30pm

CONFIRMED

R G Hicks

November 2005