RESOLVED

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

WPDD06/13 Challis/Speedy CARRIED

Nominations were called for the appointment of Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Committee.

RESOLVED

THAT the appointment of R G Hicks as Chairperson of the Western Plains Drainage Committee be confirmed.

WPDD06/14 Young/Spence CARRIED

RESOLVED

THAT the appointment of B A Carter as Deputy Chairperson of the Western Plains Drainage Committee be confirmed.

WPDD06/15 Speedy/Cox CARRIED

There were no late items.

MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY 29 MARCH 2006

RESOLVED

THAT the minutes of the meeting of the Western Plains Drainage District Committee held on Wednesday 29 March 2006 be taken as read and confirmed.

WPDD06/16 Cox/Speedy CARRIED

Ngatea Town Rate

The Chairman requested that the minutes of the March meeting be amended to show that the required rate rise in Ngatea urban area was 31%, but that the rise was limited to 20% by resolution of the Committee.

The Drainage Manager advised that he is still awaiting a reply from Environment Waikato as to the ownership and maintenance responsibility of some of the stopbank toe drains and access culverts.

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.

WPDD06/17 Speedy/Cox CARRIED

It was advised that tenders for the contract work to be undertaken at the Karito Canal should be received within the next two weeks. It was proposed that the work on the stopbank reconstruction be delayed to the summer due to poor weather conditions. The members were in agreement with this and suggested the work be postponed until October/November this 2006. The Drainage Manager stated that he will advise the quarry of the decision.

It was re-iterated that the Committee are in favour of this drain being piped in conjunction with the future residential development of the land north of Mahana Road. The Committee considers that there will be pressure to pipe the drain in the long term, and that the optimum time is prior to housing development. The reserve requirement will be reduced, allowing additional land for development and sale. The additional land available for sale would fund the cost of piping. The Committee acknowledged that the piping of the reach from Pipiroa Road to the back boundary of the existing lots on Pipiroa Road would be a cost to the Western Plains drainage district.

Staff and members met with the church representative following the March meeting. A range of options were discussed. A survey of the drain from McDuff Lane to Kohunui Street has been arranged. Estimates and costs of options will be passed to the church following receipt of the survey.

It was advised that weed growth has increased greatly due to the warm weather experienced for this time of year. The Drainage Foreman updated the members on the current spray programme.

FINANCIAL REPORT (45.499.003)

The financial report for the 9 months ended 31 March 2006 was presented for members’ information.

RESOLVED

THAT the financial report on the operations of the Western Plains Drainage Committee for the 9 months ended 31 March 2006 be received.

WPDD06/18 Keane/Young CARRIED

Drainage District Tour

A report on the tour of the Drainage District was presented. The Drainage Manager noted the main issues which required follow up.

• Floodgates on Canal Road East need attention.
• Mangawhero Stream machine cleaning to be attended to by the Drainage Overseer.
• The Stitchbury/Torehape balance drain location and status to be confirmed.
• Confirm the presence or otherwise of the block in the drain at the rear of the Council farm.
• Tyres in Pouarua Canal adjacent the Landcorp block.
• Paterson’s culvert issues: erosion at outlet, blockage of culvert pipes.
• Pouarua Canal silt check to be undertaken.

These items will be followed up by staff and reported back to the Committee.

The meeting closed at 12.25pm.

CONFIRMED

R G Hicks

May 2006