RESOLVED

THAT the apology of B A Carter and B A Keane be received and sustained.

WPDD06/46 Speedy/Challis CARRIED

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.

- Masonic Charitable Trust, Ngatea – Piping at site of Retirement Development

The item was not on the agenda because the item was unavailable at the time of the agenda deadline.

Discussion on the item could not be delayed because of time constraints affecting the development.

WPDD06/47 Cox/Spence CARRIED

MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY 26 OCTOBER 2006

RESOLVED

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

WPDD06/48 Speedy/Cox CARRIED

Council Subdivision – Ex Leonard Land

The Drainage Manager advised that he would be meeting with a consultant to undertake the hydraulic analysis of the options for dealing with the Paul Leonard drain alongside the proposed residential development.

The Drainage Manager advised he had advised the roading professional services contractor of the state of the culvert headwalls of the culvert under Pouarua North Road at the intersection with Hopai West Road.

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

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received

WPDD06/49 Speedy/Cox CARRIED

Paul Leonard Subdivision

Discussion was held regarding the Paul Leonard Subdivision. The Drainage Manager advised that he will be meeting with the consultant on Friday 1^st December for discussions on the drainage design at the Paul Leonard development.

The Drainage Manager advised of the progress on the tender for the construction of the Waitakaruru Stream right stopbank from the Twin Bridges to Maukoro Canal. He tabled a report from the District Engineer which was due for consideration by Council on November 30, and which was not ready for inclusion in the agenda for this meeting.

The three tenders were all in excess of the engineer’s estimate and of the budgeted amount in the LTCCP. It is proposed to accept the lowest tender and to negotiate a variation with that tenderer to accept the tendered plant rates and complete the works on an hourly rate basis. The contractor had agreed to this course. The outcome is expected to incur an element of risk being transferred from the contractor to Council, but is still expected to be above the estimate budgeted in the LTCCP. There is an amount budgeted for completing the reach to the Indian floodgate on the left bank of the Waitakaruru Stream. This reach was not completed at the time of the contract which sourced material from local excavation due to the proximity of the stream channel to the stopbank. It had been expected that this reach would be completed using imported spoil.

Iit is proposed to fund the shortfall for the right bank works from the amount allowed for the left bank, and to re-assess the scope of the left bank works.

THAT the tender of Kerepehi Transport Ltd. for Contract 48.000.313, Waitakaruru Stopbank Reconstruction 0 - 1050 be accepted

AND THAT payment for the work be on the basis of the day works rates provided in the tender, to achieve an estimated contract price of $76,000

AND THAT use of funds from the budget provision for the Indian Floodgate to Waitakaruru project be authorised to meet the shortfall between the estimated contract value and the budget provision for this project

AND THAT the Indian Floodgate to Waitakaruru project be scoped to utilise the remaining funds.

WPDD06/50 Speedy/Cox CARRIED

It was suggested that the two reconstruction projects, (Right and Left bank) be undertaken at the same time to save extra costs and work, and that investigation of the utilisation of a long reach excavator to gain material from the inside of the first bend downstream of the twin bridges be undertaken.

Discussion was held regarding the trimming and shaping of the stopbank. It was proposed that the site be checked and that the work be carried out at the end of the summer, or when conditions allow.

For the members’ information, the Drainage Manager advised that the Hopai West pump levels had been checked on Tuesday 28 November. The rate of settlement has practically stopped, and in accordance with a past resolution, work to fix the second file will now be carried out. The structure has settled only 2-3mm in the last 15 months, and has approximately 55mm to reach level. Council is holding a retention for the work, and will negotiate with the contractor to arrange the completion of the works.

For the members’ information, the Drainage Manager advised of Council’s requirement to reduce expenditure by 1% of overall budget for the 2007-08 year. The budgets have been inflation adjusted by 3%. He advised the members that this reduction of expenditure will not affect capital works, only operational activities. There are areas of maintenance that can be reduced due to recent capital expenditure on stopbanks that will not require maintenance for some years.

The Drainage Manager advised that an appointment has not yet been made to replace Bruce Stephens as Drainage Foreman. It is expected that an appointment will be made in the New Year.

FINANCIAL REPORT (45.499.003)

The financial report for the 4 months ended 31 October 2006 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 2006 be received.

WPDD06/51 Speed/Young CARRIED

It was agreed that the Xmas function be held at the Ngatea Hotel on Thursday, 7^th December at 6.30pm. It was requested that the Drainage Overseer advise absent members.

The Chairman advised of his attendance at the meeting. A discussion workshop on the Piako River stopbank stability issues was scheduled for December, but will now take place in January.

Mayor’s Expression of Appreciation

The Mayor thanked the members for their commitment to the operation of district drainage and conveyed his best wishes to the members for the Christmas break.

Masonic Charitable Trust, Ngatea – Piping at site for Retirement Development

Discussion was held regarding the proposed 22 single unit retirement village to be located off Ranui Street, Ngatea. It was advised that the developer has requested the Committee to assist in piping the drain on northern boundary of the site.

After discussion, the members agreed that the costs of reticulating the development would fall on the developer, and that the open drain on the north boundary would limit the site, and that the piping of this drain should be the responsibility of the developer. The Committee preferred that the drain from the north east corner to Leonard Street be considered for subsidised piping.

It was noted that there was no information available on the proposed stormwater reticulation layout, and that there could be options of directing water east and west on the line of the open drain, and possibly reducing pipe sizes, and cost.

The Committee requested that this view be conveyed to the developer, but to offer that the Chairman, local member and the Drainage Manager would be prepared to meet with the developer and further discuss the issues.

The main link/balance drain on the west boundary would also pose a potential problem for access, and will need to be closely looked at.

The meeting closed at 12.50pm.

CONFIRMED

R G Hicks

January 2007