RESOLVED

THAT the apology of Cr D E Challis and B A Carter be received and sustained.

WPDD06/33 Bennett/Cox CARRIED

There were no late items.

MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY 26 JULY 2006

RESOLVED

THAT the minutes of the meeting of the Western Plains Drainage District Committee held on Wednesday 26 July 2006 be taken as read and confirmed.

WPDD06/34 Paterson/Speedy CARRIED

A member asked when the cleaning of the Canal East roadside drain is to commence. The Drainage Overseer advised that the work would commence once the traffic management plan for the location has been completed.

The upgrade of the drain was discussed. It was advised that in the interim the drain will be cleaned and existing culvert pipes will stay in their present positions. If the drain is taken over as a Council drain, upgrading of culverts may be necessary.

The Drainage Overseer informed the members that he intends to meet with the landowners to discuss existing culverts.

The status of the issue was requested. The Drainage Overseer advised that he will meet with the Power company representative on Wednesday, 6 September for discussions on what action is to be taken to remedy the problem with the unstable power pole.

The Drainage Manager advised that the next meeting of the Committee will be held next week on Thursday, 7 September 2006.

The Drainage Manager advised that surveying of the drain has been completed for the full length of the drain, and the design inverts for any new works will be able to be plotted.

DRAINAGE REPORT (45.499.002) (24KB)

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

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received.

WPDD06/35 Speedy/Spence CARRIED

Council Subdivision – Ex Leonard Land

The Drainage Manager advised that preliminary investigations into the performance of the Paul Leonard drain at the subdivision has been undertaken. A concern regarding the lack of storage available in the event of piping the drain needs to be addressed. It was commented that storage at the pumps needs to be efficient to cope with the volume of water conveyed by the open drain channel. The Committee noted that piped drains could be more hydraulically efficient than badly maintained open drains, and that further investigation may be necessary.

The Committee discussed the options for undertaking and timing the works programmed for the coming financial year. It was considered red that some modification to the scheduled works may be able to be undertaken within the constraints of the overall budget.

Wayne Bennett requested that the floodgate located on his property be retained. It was suggested that the Committee visit Bennett’s property for inspection of the floodgate concerned at the completion of the September meeting.

FINANCIAL REPORT (45.499.003)

The financial report for the 12 months ended 30 June 2006 was presented for the members’ information.

RESOLVED

THAT the financial report on the operations of the Western Plains Drainage Committee for the 12 months ended 30 June 2006.

WPDD06/36 Speedy/Keane CARRIED

The Committee wished for their appreciation to be conveyed to staff for the improvements made to the financial operating statement.

The Chairman advised the Committee that Steve Clarke, Drainage Overseer has accepted another position within Council of Parks and Reserves Manager. Steve will commence work in his new role on Monday, 11 September 2006. Robert Hicks thanked Steve on behalf of the Committee for his services to the District Drainage Committee’s and the support he had provided to the farming community over his 19 years in the position.

The meeting closed at 12.45pm.

CONFIRMED

R G Hicks

October 2006