Tauranga City Council is reporting its inspection of manholes along the Kaitemako Stream is complete with no blockages or overflows to report. This followed a recent overflow incident that resulted in slightly elevated water quality test results. Another water sample will be taken this week and temporary health warning signs will remain in place until further notice.

This information from Tauranga City Council weekly bulletin for the week beginning Monday, December 13, published below.

City Waters

Water Supply

• Tenders have been evaluated for the water main upgrade on Fasching Lane, and the contract awarded. Works have now commenced are substantially completed, reinstatement is underway.
• SH2 pipe relocation is progressing well and is expected to be completed by mid December 2010.
• Work is progressing rapidly on Marine Parade and Grove Avenue watermain upgrade. All the mainline pipes are laid and Commons Avenue to Pacific Avenue is tested and operational.
• Water mains flushing will be carried out over the next week in the Otumoetai, Judea and Matua areas.

Drainage

• The open drain in Vale street is being landscape planted as part of the rejuvenation of this drain.
• Stormwater ponds and drains have now been scheduled in for cleaning or spraying for weed control over the next few weeks. This will include: Omanu Golf Course, Sutherland Road (Judea Sportsgrounds), Heronvale Way, Cheyne Road, Waterside Drive, Santa Monica Drive, Tara Road, Pengary Lane, Oriental Parade and Ngatai Road.
• Four blockage incidents reported this week. Two caused an overflow to a waterway. The overflows were at Glenlyon Avenue and Balmoral Terrace. Water quality monitoring is to be done at these locations. The other two blockages were minor as they were local property blockages at Boronia Place and Norton Road.

Stormwater Pollution

• One pollution incident attended to this week involving the discharge of detergent and wash water from a stormwater outlet on 18th Avenue. This was untraced. There was no discharge to the harbour.
• Pollution Prevention Audits of 400 food premises to check the condition and maintenance of grease traps and waste oil storage have begun. These audits will be completed by mid January.

City Projects

• The upcoming works at Tye Park, including stormwater works, car park upgrade and playground, have been delayed until February. They were originally scheduled to start in December. The delayed start means that access to the reserve will not be affected during the busy Christmas holiday period.
• Following the handover of the Mount Greens Project, croquet players and bowlers are transitioning from their old facilities at May Street Croquet Club, Mount Maunganui Bowls (at Coronation Park) and Cosmopolitan Bowls (Blake Park). The transition will be complete following Christmas. Once transition is complete, the three old facilities will be demolished and reverted back to park space. The demolition will take place in January.

Parks and Leisure

• Weed control work is in progress at Hammond / Taipari Street in Welcome Bay area; also at the Riverston Park and Oteki Park shared gully.
• Gordon Carmichael Reserve playground has a path underway, leading from the car park.
• Revegetation enhancement along Takitimu Drive will be complete this week.
• Papamoa is benefitting this month from scheduled Street Tree Maintenance.
• Contractors have been busy dealing with the evergreen Buckthorn in the dunes between 172 and 220 Oceanbeach Road. Historically this area has seriously suffered from the colonisation of these plants. We have an annual programme to address it.

Transportation

• Annual Resealing Programme: Resealing work continues on various streets around the city.
• Devonport Road and Elizabeth Street Intersection: Changes have been made to the traffic signals at the intersection of Devonport Road and Elizabeth Street to improve pedestrian safety. The change will allow pedestrians to cross the road in all directions, including diagonally. Please take care when using this intersection.
• Devonport Road: Southern Pipeline pipe laying work between 12th to 15th Avenues is expected to start this week. Most of this work is off the road but there will be traffic management and some minor temporary road closures in place. Expect delays and please use an alternative route if possible.
• Gravatt Road / Crisp Drive Intersection: Work continues on a new throat island at this intersection. Minimal delays are expected but please take care when travelling through the intersection. Temporary speed restrictions will be in place.
• Gravatt Road/ Domain Road Intersection: The new traffic signals are now working. Motorists, cyclists and pedestrians are asked to take particular care at the new intersection layout.
• Hairini Link Advanced Works: Work on NZTA's 15th Avenue and Fraser Street intersection improvements is continuing. Expect some lane closures and minor alignment shifts. Please take care when travelling through the site or chose an alternative route.
• Inner City Bus Stops: Work to construct two canopies, new street lights and new seating for the new inner city bus stops on Willow Street continues. The majority of the work is being done off the road so disruption to traffic will be minimal. Some pedestrian detours will be in place and occasionally some car parking in the area will be affected.
• Maleme Street / Oropi Road: Southern Pipeline pipe laying work continues on Maleme Street and will move into Oropi Road later this week. A stop/go system will be in place and left and right turns at the intersection of Maleme Street and Oropi Road will be restricted at times. Please expect delays and take care when driving in this area.
• Papamoa Beach Road: Pedestrian refuge islands are being installed at two sites. Minimal delays are expected but please take care when travelling through the sites. Temporary speed restrictions will be in place.
• Parking Building $1 Mondays: Park in either of the city's parking buildings on a Monday for up to three hours and pay no more than $1.
• Parking Buildings Free for Christmas Shoppers: Park in either of our parking buildings for free this weekend (18 & 19 December).
• Pyes Pa Bypass: Work is continuing on the 4.2km Pyes Pa Bypass which will connect SH29 near the tolled section of Takitimu Drive (Route K) to SH36 (near the crematorium). There may be some disruption to traffic when work begins to construct a new roundabout on SH36 in early 2011
• SH2 Watermain Relocation: Work to relocate the watermain alongside SH2 is continuing between Mangatawa Lane and Domain Road. At times shoulder closures and lane diversions will be in place. Motorists are advised to take care when driving through the area.
• Streetlight Upgrades: Work to upgrade the street lights in the following streets continues: Eleventh Avenue, Wylie Street, Bush Street, Jones Street, Lynwood Place, Bennett Street, Russell Place, Lydbrook Place, Dysart Road, Tollemache Place, Lemon Grove Avenue, and Monmouth Street East. Work will be done off the road and disruption will be minimal.
• Tara Road: Work to construct a new roundabout at the intersection of Doncaster Drive and Tara Road continues. Traffic management and temporary speed limits are in place so please take care when driving through the area.

Venues & Events

Baycourt Community and Arts Centre

• Thursday 16 December to Saturday 18 December – Showtime Variety Performance – Presented by Dance Education Centre at Baycourt Centennial Theatre.

Democracy

Monday 13 December 2010 at 1pm

• The Historic Village - Council to approve the service delivery method to be included in the draft 2011/12 Annual Plan & Budget.

In the order they appear on the agenda…

• Supporting Information for Draft Annual Plan - To provide Elected Members with supporting information related to the preparation of the draft Annual Plan.
• Possible Sale of Clarke Street Elder Housing - To consider the possible sale of Clarke Street Elder Housing to Tauranga Community Housing Trust.
• Issues & Options Paper - Hearings Commissioners - Structure and Funding - To consider the continued role of Councillors as Resource Management Act Hearings Commissioners, and to consider how the costs of Hearings Commissioners are funded.
• Annual Issues & Option Paper - Referendum Funding - To consider whether to include funding for a referendum in the draft 2011/12 Annual Plan.
• Development Contributions Policy - Time Payment Scheme for Multiple-Owned Maori Land - To report back to elected members on the issues of security of payment and the charging of interest in relation to the proposed Time Payment Scheme for development contributions on multiple-owned Maori land for direction on whether the idea of this scheme should continue to be pursued.
• Proposed Amendments to the Revenue & Financing Policy - To consider potential amendments to the Revenue and Financing policy to reflect decisions previously made by Council, to reflect changed circumstances, and to amend minor typographical errors.
• Proposed 2012 User Fees & Charges - Changes to Council's User Fees & Charges are proposed for the 2012 financial year.