WPDD07/43 Speedy/Carter CARRIED

A plot of the Ngatea Monthly Rainfall depths since 1993 was attached. The rainfall total for October was 76mm.

Details of the drainage re-orientation in the area between Canal East Road and the Central North Drain have been forwarded to Environment Waikato. EW staff is considering the extent of works to be undertaken this summer, in conjunction with the proposed stopbank reconstruction.

It was advised that no response has been received from Landcorp’s Farm Manager in Rotorua. Application of the provisions of the Land Drainage Bylaw may have to be considered.

The Committee raised concerns that the mining levels of soil are not being monitored properly. It was requested that the Drainage Manager speak with Planning Department to see if the levels of soil are being monitored as per Landcorp’s resource consent.

The reach of open drain between the north east corners of the Masonic development, to Leonard Street has been completed.

Work has commenced on piping the 54m length of open drain between Pipiroa Road and the Ngatea North subdivision, approximately 150m north of the Paul Leonard Drain. When this work is finished, the reach south of the Paul Leonard, across Mahana Road to the Domain will be piped.

The members were advised that Council has re-appointed the current members of the committee to cover the period between the triennial local government elections held in October 2007, and the drainage advisory committee elections proposed to be held in March-April 2008. Council’s appointed representative to the Western Plains Drainage District Committee is Cr Greg Harris, with Crs Don Challis and Tom Meyers as deputies. The provision of deputies is necessary as the standing orders for Council committees require that a Councillor be present to legally constitute a quorum. The quorum requirement is now two members of the committee, including one Councillor.

Council has re-scheduled its meeting dates from Thursdays to the last and third to last Wednesdays in each month, except December, when the sole meeting will be held on the third Wednesday, and January when only the last Wednesday meeting will be held. Usually the WPDD meeting has been held on the last Wednesday so would clash with Council on 10 of the 11 months that WPDD meet. Most other Council committees will meet on Tuesdays, other than the Tuesday before the last Wednesday. This Tuesday works best for Council secretarial and administrative staff involved in agenda preparation and meeting attendance.

The member’s were in agreement that meetings now be held on Tuesday’s commencing 2008.

EW has changed the subcommittee structure of its seven liaison subcommittees. The Regional and District Council representation will remain, but the Drainage Committee representation has been replaced by ‘Local Community Representatives’. In the case of the Waihou Piako Liaison Subcommittee, the number of landowner representatives is seven members, replacing the current four drainage committee representatives. Nominations for these positions close on Friday 25 January 2008. The HDC drainage committees will need to ensure good representation is continued on this subcommittee.

Attached was part of the information available from the EW website, plus nomination forms.

Robert Hicks noted that property owners from the Waihou Valley Scheme area needed to be considered for nomination to represent that area.

Robert Hicks and Guy Speedy advised they have both put their names forward as representatives.