There were no apologies.

Pursuant to Section 46A(7) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987, the Chairman called for late items to be accepted. There were none.

RESOLVED

THAT the minutes of the meeting of the Waihi Ward Committee held on Monday 2 July 2001 be taken as read and confirmed.

WWC01/94 Carmine/Hayden CARRIED

There were no matters arising.

The Community Services monthly report on activities was attached for the Committee’s consideration.

RESOLVED

THAT the Community Services report be received.

WWC01/95 Hayden/Carmine CARRIED

The Community Services Manger presented the report in the Community Facilities Managers absence.

A letter had been received from a resident on Barry Road seeking permission to remove at their cost three trees from the road reserve. The cryptomeria trees were a nuisance and could best be described as the wrong trees in the wrong place. These trees were not on Councils register of significant trees.

Cr Baker agreed that these trees were the wrong trees for the wrong place and if the residents were happy to cut them down at their own cost then permission should be given.

An oak tree on road reserve at the southern end of Gladstone Road was causing problems to property owners in its vicinity. The roots of the tree were blocking storm water pipes and as a result when it rains the storm water ponds on the road in front of the house.

There was concern as to what species of tree this actually was and if it was included on Councils register of significant trees. It was decided to leave the matter in abeyance until it could be confirmed what the tree was and if it was on the register for protected trees.

RESOLVED

THAT the Waihi Ward Committee gives permission for the cryptomeria trees in Barry Road to be cut down.

WWC01/96 Carmine/Hayden CARRIED

There had been a certain amount of damage caused to the statues in recent weeks. The strap on the child’s bag had been broken and the foot of the child standing had been loosened. This damage appeared to be as a result of people climbing on and standing on the statues.

The Committee agreed that the strap on the child’s bag should be removed from the statue to prevent further damage.

The official opening of the Karangahake Reserve was to be held on 27^th September 2001 at 2.00 pm.

Attached is a letter from the Secretary of the Waihi Bowling Club (Inc) seeking reimbursement to the club for the purchase of a Vacuum Leaf removal machine. The machine cost $1,900 (incl GST) and was necessary for removing leaves and other debris that drop off the grove of trees adjacent to the pavilion.

RESOLVED

THAT the letter be received.

WWC01/97 Carmine/Hayden CARRIED

The Chairman advised that the Waihi Bowling Club had applied to have some trees cut down but the trees had only been trimmed, as they were Council owned and protected.

The Community Services Manager commented that this was a reasonable request.

RESOLVED

THAT the Waihi Ward Committee grant $1,900 (incl GST) to the Waihi Bowling Club for the purchase of a Vacuum Leaf removal machine from the Community Recreational Facilities Development Fund.

WWC01/98 Morrison/Carmine CARRIED

Attached was a report from the Community Services Manager regarding a proposal from the Waihi Walkway group to create a walkway along Riverbank Terrace from Gilmour Reserve to Rosemont Road.

The Community Services Manager outlined a number of points for the Committee’s consideration.

After discussion the Committee agreed that they approved of the proposal in principle but would like the walkway at Lawrence Road finalised before a final decision was given. It needed to be determined what Councils cost for ongoing maintenance would be for Lawrence Road.

RESOLVED

THAT the proposal be received

AND THAT the Waihi Walkways be complimented on the preparation of the proposal

AND THAT the Waihi Ward Committee liked the proposal in principle but before a decision was made regarding Council expenditure it was needed to be known what Councils commitment would be regarding the Lawrence Road Walkway proposal.

WWC01/99 Morrison/Carmine CARRIED

Permission was requested for the planting and fencing of the southern bank of the river along the boundary of the reserve.

The Committee agreed that the fencing and planting could be done as long as there was no cost to Council and no inconvenience to the lessee of the land.

RESOLVED

THAT permission be given for the fencing and planting of the southern bank of the river at no cost to Council.

WWC01/100 Carmine/Hayden CARRIED

The financial report for the 12 months ended 30 June 2001 was attached for the Committee’s consideration.

RESOLVED

THAT the financial report on the operations of the Waihi Ward Committee for the 12 months ended 30 June 2001 be received.

WWC01/101 Morrison/Hayden CARRIED

The Roading Manager’s monthly report to the Works Committee was attached.

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received.

WWC01/102 Hayden/Carmine CARRIED

It was noted that the work on the Wrigley Street kerb and channel was being carried out by Councils own forces and was practically complete.

It was asked that Transit New Zealand be asked if a streetlight could be placed at the intersection of Seddon Street and State Highway 2 at Waikino.

A report was given on the Seddon Street Waihi Pedestrian Crossing investigation.

It was noted that Council said it would review the issue of a pedestrian crossing once the streetscape was finished and the normal traffic flow presumed. It had now done that.

The General Manager advised that the latest traffic counts showed a 35% increase in traffic compared with the pre-Seddon Street closure counts, well above what had been predicted.

It was disappointing that there would be a loss of two-three car parks, but the increased traffic flow was a good indication of the success of the streetscape development in drawing people to the town centre.

The concern was expressed that the signage at Miners Square to clearly to make pedestrians aware that they give way to traffic should be small and unobtrusive.

The District Engineer advised that the crossing place near the Haszard Street roundabout had been constructed with small steps at the median area and at one footpath. These needed to be removed to provide safe access for wheel chairs etc.

His Worship left the meeting at 4.40 pm.

RESOLVED

THAT the Waihi Ward Committee recommends to the Works Committee that a formal pedestrian crossing is installed on Seddon Street approximately 20m from the Rosemont Street roundabout

AND THAT the priority at Miners Square be defined by signage to clearly make pedestrians aware that they must give way to traffic

AND THAT the surface at the crossing place near Haszard Street roundabout is improved to provide safe access.

WWC01/103 Lockwood/Carmine CARRIED

It was noted that Coronation Bridge at the entrance to Waihi required painting. This had been brought to the attention of the Highway Manager.

His Worship returned to the meeting at 4.45 pm.

The Utilities Manager’s monthly report to the Works Committee was attached.

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received.

WWC01/104 Lockwood/Hayden CARRIED

His Worship left the meeting at 4.50 pm.

The Drainage Manager’s monthly report to the Works Committee was attached.

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received.

WWC01/105 Carmine/Baker CARRIED

The Drainage Manager tabled a report on stormwater discharge consents.

The District Engineer’s monthly report to the Works Committee was attached.

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received.

WWC01/106 Baker/Hayden CARRIED

Costings were being obtained for plaques/signs for erecting at points of interest as part of streetscape. A costing would be obtained for brass plaques. It was suggested that additionally a price be obtained for a style similar to what was used on the walkways with a picture and what it related to.

The District Engineer would look into this and report back to the next Ward Committee meeting.

There was no general business.

There were no late items.

The meeting closed at 5.00 pm.

CONFIRMED

S Baker

September 2001