The Tauranga City Council is reporting works on removing silt from four stormwater ponds is continuing.

These ponds have been in use for a number of years and need the build-up of silt removed to restore them to original dimensions and storage.

This information from Tauranga City Council weekly bulletin for the week beginning Monday, March 21, published below.

The ponds are off Bateleur Close, Resolution Road, Waipuna Grove and Waiorakei Way.

Two ponds are mostly complete.

Other ponds and a number of open drains are also being cleaned of aquatic weed.

City Waters

Water Supply

• Remedial works are being carried out on pipe bridges over the Waiorahi stream as a result of damage during the recent storms.
• Watermain construction has started in Papamoa Beach Road from Domain Road to Palm Springs Boulevard.

Drainage

• There was one blockage reported this week off Jones Street. This blockage did not result in an overflow.
• Work continues on construction of a new stormwater overland flow path to help with flood protection for some Glenlyon properties.
• A willow tree has had to be removed from the Maleme Street drain off Oropi Road as it was causing a flow restriction within the drain. Large poplar trees at same location have also been removed as they were being undermined from the stream and become hazardous.

Stormwater Pollution:

• No pollution incidents were reported to council this week.
• Pollution Prevention Audits of 400 food premises to check the condition and maintenance of grease traps and waste food oil storage have been completed. Follow up letters will be sent to premises where issues are required to be addressed.
• Pollution prevention audits of around 170 auto workshops have begun. These will take several months to complete.

Waiari Water Supply Project

• Design of the access road to the intake and the design of the intake is being done at present.

Leakage detection

• Leakage management is an ongoing program. Priorities and timing for the next project are being assessed.

Southern Pipeline:

• Pipe laying in Oropi Road has reached Greerton Park.
• Directional drilling of Oropi Road Hill between Greerton Park and Chadwick Road and Fraser Street between Esk St and Baycroft Ave has commenced.
• Some of the Southern Pipeline works require materials manufactured in Christchurch where the factory has been closed due to damage caused by the February earthquake. As existing supplies are exhausted the sites will be tidied, made safe and decamped until materials are available again, currently expected to be not before May. The main site this currently affects is works in Memorial Park which have closed until at least May.

Parks and Leisure

• A refreshed and updated version of the ever popular ‘Walkways' booklet is now available in our customer service centre and on our website.
• City sports field renovations are currently underway in preparation for the transition from summer to winter sports (1 April 2011). Wharepai Domain is included in renovations this year as the back-up field to alleviate pressures from regular winter use on Tauranga Domain #1, in order to achieve specification for Rugby World Cup training for Fiji and Samoa in September.
• Vegetation enhancement at Elms Reserve is now complete. Enhancement works at Topaz Reserve are continuing.

City Projects

• Arataki Community Centre works are progressing well.
• Beach Road walkway repairs are in full-swing. Anticipated timeframe for completion is the end of April.

Transportation

• Devonport Road / Arundel Street: Intersection modifications are expected to start this week. Devonport Road: Southern Pipeline work continues on Devonport Road. A single lane will be operating on both sides of Devonport Road at the intersection with 15th Avenue. On Saturday 19 March and Sunday 20 March access to Devonport Road (going north towards Tauranga Boys' College) from 15th Avenue will be closed. This is subject to weather and is being implemented for the safety of motorists. The progress of work along Devonport Road and at 18th Avenue is being affected by pipe supply from Christchurch. Some reinstatement work will be continuing.
• Durham Street: The temporary bus shelters on Durham Street will be moved to various locations around the city this week.
• Domain Road / Tara Road intersection: A temporary stop/go system and reduced speed limit of 30km may be in place at times during the week as trees and vegetation are cleared in preparation for work associated with the Tauranga Eastern Link. Please take care when driving through this area and follow directions at all times.
• Esmeralda Street: Work to modify the existing two speed thresholds continues. Please take care when driving through the area.
• Hairini Link Advanced Works: Work has begun on a new hand rail for the south side of the Turret Road Bridge. This work will have little impact on the traffic and pedestrian movements and will take about three weeks to complete.
• Inner City Bus Stops: From Sunday 20 March 2011 all Tauranga Bay Hopper Buses will stop at and depart from their new permanent locations on Willow Street outside the Council and Art Gallery buildings.
• Kairua Road: Work on the next stage of the reconstruction of Kairua Road is progressing well. Minor delays are possible.
• Maunganui and Girven Road Intersection: NZTA are holding an open day to discuss constraints with the intersection that could affect any upgrade on Tuesday 22 March from 4-7pm at the Hillier Centre, Gloucester Road, Mount Maunganui. All welcome.
• Oropi Road/Fraser Street: Southern Pipeline pipe laying work continues along Oropi Road. Drilling equipment is operating between Glenlyon Avenue and Chadwick Road. Work is progressing along Fraser Street north of the Chadwick Road roundabout and some detours are in place. Drilling equipment is now in place on Fraser Street near Esk Street.
• Pyes Pa Bypass: Traffic is now running on the new roundabout under traffic control while the original southbound lane of the existing highway is excavated. At times, traffic is reduced to stop/go one-way traffic. The roundabout is expected to be fully functional in April.
• Tara Road: Work on reconstructing the next stage of Tara Road is underway. The work site is adjacent to Gordon Spratt Reserve.
• Thirteenth Avenue / Christopher Street: Work to construct a new roundabout at this intersection is expected to start this week. This is to improve safety and traffic flow.
• Welcome Bay Road: Work to construct a new bus stop at the intersection of Welcome Bay Road and Greenwood Park Lane is underway. The east bound shoulder is closed.
• Welcome Bay Road near South Kaitemako Road: Work is install pedestrian refuge in the centre of Welcome Bay Road is expected to start this week.

Venues & Events

Baycourt Community and Arts Centre

• Saturday 26 March – Sunday 3 April (10am - 4pm daily) - National Art Exhibition 'Purely Pastel' - Presented by the Pastel Artists of NZ at Baycourt Centennial Theatre.

Democracy

Council – Monday, 21 March at 1pm and Wednesday, 23 March at 2pm (if required)

• Petitions Received - Pedestrian Crossing on Maranui Street and Oropi Speed Limits (DC 102)
• Welcome Bay Community Plan (DC 94)
• Port of Tauranga Request for Coronation Park Boundary Adjustment (DC 100)
• Tauranga Golf Club Proposed Lease Area Extension (DC 93)
• Closure of Accessway Between Sapphire Drive and Harrisfield Drive, Hairini (DC 86)
• Masonic Park Master Plan (DC 79)
• Tauranga Art Gallery Trust - Draft Statement of Intent (DC 72)
• Future Management Options for the Aspen Tree (DC 104)
• BOPLASS Ltd Half Yearly Report and Draft Statement of Intent for 2011-12 (DC 96)
• Appointment of Tangata Whenua / Tauranga City Council Committee Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson (DC 83)
• Tauranga Moana Museum Trust Budget and Release of Existing Funds (DC 80)
• Establishing a Tree Management Subcommittee (DC 103)
• Stopping Part of Edgecumbe Road, Tauranga (DC 84)
• Temporary Road Closure: Tauranga Jazz Festival 2011 (DC 92)
• Schedule of Documents Executed Under Seal (DC 85))

Council - Wednesday 23 March (after the reconvened Council meeting which starts at 2pm)

• Information on of Earthquake Prone Buildings - PUBLIC EXCLUDED SECTION