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.

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.

- Letter Owen Morgan

The item was not on the agenda because information had become available after the agenda deadline.

Discussion on the item could not be delayed because consideration needed to be given to the matter before the next meeting.

- Stone Sculpting in Wallnutt Park

The item was not on the agenda because information had become available after the agenda deadline.

Discussion on the item could not be delayed because consideration needed to be given to the matter before the next meeting.

WWC02/01 Baker/Lockwood CARRIED

RESOLVED

THAT the minutes of the meeting of the Waihi Ward Committee held on Monday 3 December 2001 be taken as read and confirmed.

WWC02/02 Lockwood/Wightman CARRIED

There was concern that the former martial arts shed had not been shifted.

The Community Services Manager advised that the shed should have been moved and would check on the matter.

Waihi Community Resource Centre

The Chairman advised that he was still waiting to hear back from the Waihi Community Resource Centre Committee on a time to meet with the Ward Committee.

His Worship left the meeting at 3.40 pm.

The Community Services Manager advised that in August, the Ward Committee considered this proposal from the walkway group and shelved a decision on how much maintenance the Council would become involved with until the matter of the Lawrence Road historical reserve had been resolved. That matter has since been settled by the Council and the Ward Committee can now decide if and how much maintenance it would undertake in regards the walkway.

In discussion with Mrs Ruth Ordish-Benner, Chairperson of Walkways, the maintenance requirement would only relate to mowing that part of the walkway, which would be assessable to the tractor mower during the road verge mowing cycles. In terms of cost, it really doesn’t matter if the walkway strip requiring mowing was only five metres long or 50 metres. Ease of getting the mower along the strip will be a factor and that needs to be catered for in the walkway design. Any other maintenance requirements to culverts, styles across grazing fences etc would need to be conducted by the Walkways group.

In respect to culverts that would need to be installed to allow dry crossing of the various watercourses running across the Terrace, the Walkways group requested comment on whether or not Council actually approved of the placement and design. In answer to that question, our Drainage Asset Manager advises that it if any comment is required it should be Environment Waikato's responsibility to determine what measures should be put in place to alter the introduction of stormwater to the receiving waters of the Ohinemuri, and it is on those grounds our Council cannot offer any advice.

In conclusion, the Ward Committee needed to advise that it could mow any part of the walkway that was accessible to the road verge mower. However should it be proposed to alter any waterway to accommodate the walkway itself, then Environment Waikato should be approached.

RESOLVED

THAT the Waihi Ward Committee approves the mowing of the walkway area that is accessible.

WWC02/03 Hayden/Carmine CARRIED

Attached was a letter from the Senior Advisor of Memorials and Cemeteries regarding a recent inspection of the services cemeteries in Waihi and Paeroa.

RESOLVED

THAT the information be received.

WWC02/04 Hayden/Carmine CARRIED

Attached was a letter from the secretary of the Waihi Bowling Club (Inc) regarding the chip sealed carpark and entrance.

RESOLVED

THAT the information be received

AND THAT a price be obtained for the sealing of the Waihi Bowling Club (Inc) entranceway.

WWC02/05 Lockwood/Wightman CARRIED

The Thames Valley Motorcycle Club will be hosting a round of the New Zealand Cross Country Championships on Sunday 14^th April 2002. The club requests a temporary closure of the top end of Taieri Road Waihi from the Pukewera Road intersection between the hours of 10:00am and 4:00pm on that day.

WWC02/06 Lockwood/Carmine CARRIED

The Waihi Playcentre’s Property Officer has written seeking consent to place a sign on the back of the public toilets located at Rocket Park informing people of their contact details. They also ask if they could be assisted with the purchase of an AA sign.

RESOLVED

THAT the letter be received

AND THAT consent to attach a sign on the Public Conveniences be declined

AND THAT the Waihi Ward Committee grant up to $112.00 to the Waihi Playcentre towards the purchase of a fingerboard direction sign.

WWC02/07 Hayden/Carmine CARRIED

The Community Services Manager advised that Councillor Baker wished to discuss the placement of the plantings along the west bank of the Eastern Stream where the plants intrude into the mown area of Morgan Park at the base of the intended hockey field adjacent to the Netball Courts.

The plantings were part of a riparian belt of native plants situated between Barry Road and the plot that has been developed by the Royal NZ Forest & Bird Society further into Morgan Park. The plants are placed three deep against the scrub currently growing along the stream bank and two of the rows consume about 1.5 metres of the mown grass border. The placement of the new natives is to give depth to the border, which eventually, in time, will allow other plantings to take place behind that border.

Should the Ward committee find that the plantings consume too much of the Park then they would need to be replanted in late autumn to another location.

It was decided that members look at the site to get a clearer understanding before a decision was made.

REQUESTS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE – WAIHI CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU

At the 7^th May 2001 Waihi Ward Committee meeting it was resolved to defer a request from the Chairperson of the Waihi Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) for financial support towards rent and electricity, which currently cost $3380 annually. The CAB had provided Council with their audited financial statement for 1999/2001 and asked that the request be reconsidered.

At the 3^rd December Waihi Ward Committee Jan Smeaton and Anna McDonald gave meeting a presentation from the Waihi Citizens Advice Bureau. It was resolved that a decision on the matter be deferred until the next meeting of the Waihi Ward Committee.

It was noted that this cost would be a continuing cost.

After discussion it was agreed that the Citizens Advice Bureau was a worthwhile organisation to support and members agreed to grant six months worth of rent to them and review the request as part of the Annual Plan process.

RESOLVED

THAT the Waihi Ward Committee grant the Waihi Citizens Advice Bureau their rental for six months ($1690)

AND THAT the matter be revised as part of the Annual Plan process.

WWC02/08 Wightman/Carmine CARRIED

The financial report for the 6 months ended 31 December 2001 was attached for the Committee’s consideration.

RESOLVED

THAT the financial report on the operations of the Waihi Ward Committee for the 6 months ended 31 December 2001 be received.

WWC02/09 Lockwood/Carmine CARRIED

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

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received.

WWC02/10 Carmine/Lockwood CARRIED

The Utilities Manager advised that the Paeroa Backwash Pump had broken down and had to be replaced.

The Waihi backwash pump, which had a similar operation, was nearing 25 years of age and replacement of this pump has been included in next year’s estimates.

The Utilities Manager advised that the laying of the new sewer along Somerset Street was 90% completed.

His Worship attended the meeting at 4.35 pm.

It was asked that consideration be given to the laying of a new sewer in Wenlock Street as there were a number of new houses there.

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

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received.

WWC02/11 Lockwood/Hayden CARRIED

It was noted that there would be a police representative attending next months Paeroa Ward Committee meeting regarding the policing of the skateboarding bylaw and it was suggested that the Police also be invited to attend the Waihi Ward Committee meeting.

It was suggested that the schools support be sought in the prohibiting of skating and cycling on the footpaths in Waihi.

Information would be sought from the police on policing of the skating bylaw along with a general update on policing in the Hauraki District as well as the operation of the camera and equipment.

RESOLVED

THAT the Waihi Ward Committee recommends to Council that the Police be invited to address Council on policing in the Hauraki District, the skateboarding bylaw, the effectiveness of the operation of the camera and any other matters.

WWC02/12 Morrison/Hayden CARRIED

The Roading Manager tabled a report from Opus International Consultants Ltd on Rocket Park (Victoria Park) in Waihi.

The report was prepared following concerns raised over the safety of pedestrians crossing Kenny Street near the SH2/Kenny Street intersection, going to and from the park. There was also concern over high traffic speeds in the area. Following a site meeting held on 31^st January 2002 with Ward Committee members, Hauraki District Council and Opus International Consultants, it was decided a staged approach be considered with important safety aspects to be addressed initially.

The recommended approach was:

Stage 1

Install a physical median on Kenny Street with a pedestrian refuge area. This would be an extension to the throat island at the Kenny Street/SH2 intersection. Rough Order Cost (ROC) $6000. (Approach TNZ regarding possible funding of the median as it may be considered as an extension to the channelisation of the intersection)

Install a timber barrier rail around the cul de sac in Rocket Park to prevent unsafe access out onto the SH2/Kenny Street intersection. ROC $2,000

Clear vegetation at the Kenny Street/SH2 intersection causing a visibility hazard. ROC $500.

Install a parted median on edge lines on Kenny Street between SH2/Kenny Street intersection and Rosemont Road to help reduce speeds on Kenny Street. ROC $3500.

The total ROC for Stage I would be $12000.

This would be reduced if TNZ accept the costs for the Kenny Street median.

It was also recommended that an approach be made to TNZ to consider an intersection control (Give Way) on the Victoria Street/SH2 intersection.

RESOLVED

THAT it is recommended that Stage 1 safety improvements at a ROC of $12,000 be accepted.

WWC01/13 Lockwood/Wightman CARRIED

DRAINAGE: MONTHLY REPORT (01.001.020)

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

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received.

WWC02/14 Carmine/Wightman CARRIED

Attached was a report from the District Engineer regarding the Paeroa Freshlook 2010 Public Presentation.

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received.

WWC02/15 Morrison/Lockwood CARRIED

Attached is a report from the District Engineer on the state highway 2 strategy study.

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received.

WWC02/16 Morrison/Wightman CARRIED

It was noted that a workshop needed to be held to discuss the issues within the report to ensure elected members obtain a full understanding.

RESOLVED

THAT the Waihi Ward Committee supports the holding of a workshop to discuss the issues within the SH2 Strategy Study report.

WWC02/17 Morrison/Wightman CARRIED

Appointments to the following sub-committees need to be made.

WWC02/18 Baker/Morrison CARRIED

Attached was a copy of a letter for members information from June Reinink (Bjerring) an ex resident of Waihi.

RESOLVED

THAT the information be received.

WWC02/19 CARRIED

The General Manager gave an update on the void on Mrs Reidy’s property on Roycroft Street in Waihi.

The Chairman thanked the General Manager and Mr Len Whittaker for their assistance in this matter.

A letter was tabled from Owen Morgan of Waihi thanking the Ward Committee for the money given for the Historic Fun Run/Walk held recently in Waihi. He advised that there was a balance of $50 left over from the event and the Summer Festival Committee was presently holding this in trust. He asked for approval from the Ward Committee to put this $50 towards the expenses of a further celebration of the centenary of the Borough to be held in April.

RESOLVED

THAT the Waihi Ward Committee agrees to the $50 being held over for use towards the expenses of a further celebration of the Centenary of the Borough in April.

WWC02/20 Morrison/Wightman CARRIED

The Chairman advised that a group were currently doing stone carvings out of Hinuera stone in Walnutt Park in Waihi. It had been suggested that once the carvings were completed that they would be given to Council to be placed in areas at their discretion in Waihi. The Chairman suggested that as a show of thanks from Council that a morning tea be held for those involved.

RESOLVED

THAT the Waihi Ward Committee grant $60 towards morning tea for the sculptures and thank them for their contribution.

WWC02/21 Morrison/Carmine CARRIED

The meeting closed at 5.40 pm.

CONFIRMED

S Baker

March 2002