Tauranga City Council is reporting poor and wet ground conditions are hindering repair progress on the damaged sewer pipeline in the reserve between Cypress Street and Bell Street.

Temporary flow by-pass pumping operations are maintaining the flow while arrangements to repairs are being carried out.

About 80m of pipeline is needing to be replaced.

This information from Tauranga City Council weekly bulletin for the week beginning Monday, May 30, published below.

City Waters

Water Supply:

· There was a water mains break in Matapihi Road in the early hours of Thursday morning (between 4 and 5am) resulting in the loss of water supply to a large part of the peninsula. Water was restored to most properties by 8.30am but remained off on a small section of main between R222 Matapihi Road and Hungahungatoroa Road for the repairs to be carried out. Full water supply was restored by 12.45pm.

· Water main upgrades continue in Matua and Bureta areas with works also starting in Vale Street.

· Water main upgrade work on Panorama Drive and Kaitemako Road has started, to be completed by 17 June.

· Cleaning, inspection and any required maintenance work is now underway on the McFetridge reservoir.

Drainage

· Three sewer blockages were attended to this week. These were in Sunbrae Grove, Birch Avenue and Oakland Way. None of these caused an overflow to a waterway.

· Some stormwater improvement work was completed in Cambridge Road near Miles Lane.

· A new street sump along with some seal improvements are planned for a section of road in Nature Place. Further stormwater investigations with Transit are also being carried out in the same area.

· Stormwater street sumps and pipes in Welcome Bay have been inspected following the recent watermains break where a lot of debris was washed into the stormwater system.

· Smoke testing of wastewater systems has started in the Topaz Drive area of Papamoa.

Stormwater Pollution:

· No pollution incidents were reported to council this week.

· Pollution prevention audits of around 170 Auto Workshops continue.

Bulk Water Meter and Pressure Management Project:

· The contract to install additional bulk metering and pressure management in Birch Avenue and 12th Avenue is complete, the remaining work relates to establishing automated flow and pressure data collection.

Southern Pipeline

· Next Tuesday 31 May, weather permitting, there will be a detour in place for Greerton-bound traffic on Fraser Street as Southern Pipeline work progresses. The detour will go through Esk Street - Miranda Street - Harrier Street.

Parks and Leisure

· Tauranga City Council, in partnership with Coast Care, had the first volunteer dune care planting day in Motiti Road last Sunday. One thousand native dune plants were introduced into their new environment by 25 keen workers. The next dune planting event takes place at Motiti Road on Sunday morning from 9.30-12.30. All welcome.

· Tye Park in Welcome Bay will be open to the public again this weekend following the completion of three projects. Stormwater and Wastewater works are completed and the new playground will be available the following week after safety checks have been completed.

· Following positive feedback from the public after vegetation clearance work was completed at the northern end of Coronation Park, further clearance work will be undertaken to improve visibility at the Nikau Crescent end of the park.

City Projects

· Beach Road walkway is now open. A few minor works continue.

· Reilly Avenue Reserve and Wells Avenue Reserve playgrounds construction has started.

· Arataki Community Centre construction is progressing well, most of the building's framing is now up.

Transportation

· Devonport Road: Southern Pipeline pipe laying work is progressing on Devonport Road between 16th and 18th Avenues. Lane restrictions are in place. Please use an alternative route if possible.

· Domain Road/Tara Road intersection: Construction activity in this area continues for the Tauranga Eastern Link. Motorists are advised to take care when driving through the area.

· Eighteenth Avenue/Fraser Street: Southern Pipeline work has progressed from 18th Avenue onto Fraser Street, heading towards Merivale. Please take care when driving through this area.

· Harbour Drive: Through access from Harbour Drive to Chapel Street remains closed this week while storm water work continues. Pedestrian access will be unaffected.

· Howell Place: Work on a new road access link from Howell Place into 16th Avenue has started.

· Maunganui Road: Work on a new pedestrian crossing on Maunganui Road outside the Mount Library is almost complete.

· Oropi Road/Fraser Street: Southern Pipeline drilling is continuing on Oropi Road between Chadwick Road and Glenlyon Avenue and also on Fraser Street between Esk Street and Baycroft Avenue. Lane restrictions are in place and a detour will be required near Esk Street while the pipe is being installed. Please use caution and reduce speed when driving in these areas.

· Pyes Pa Bypass: Work on the new roundabout on SH36 near the Crematorium is almost finished. The new Bypass will be open to traffic late on Saturday, 4 June.

· Tara Road: Work on Tara Road adjacent to Gordon Spratt Reserve continues. Temporary traffic signals may be operating from time to time. Please take care and expect delays.

Venues & Events

· Saturday 4 June – 'True Legends”. NZ's greatest country music TV stars in a special concert. Gray Bartlett, Eddie Low, Brendan Dugan and Jodi Vaughan. $65 Adult, $55 Group6+ Seniors $49.50

Democracy

Council (Annual Plan Deliberations) - Monday 30 May - Thursday 2 June at 9.00 am each day

1. Draft 2011/12 Annual Plan Deliberations – Submissions Process Overview - Council is required to make decisions on issues raised through the Draft 2011/12 Annual Plan submissions process.

2. Draft 2011/12 Annual Plan Deliberations – Submissions Responses - Council is required to approve responses to issues raised in submissions through the Draft 2011/12 Annual Plan.

3. Internal Submissions to the Draft 2011/12 Annual Plan - To present internal submissions prepared by staff and to seek Council's decision on the inclusion of these submissions in the final 2011/12 Annual Plan.

Monday 30 May – 10.45 am - Item with Set Time

4. Review of City Centre Parking - To seek formal decisions from Elected Members on issues that were discussed at two workshops on city centre parking and matters raised through the Annual Plan submissions process.

5. Issues and Options for Stormwater Improvements in Triton Avenue and Te Maire Street, Mount Maunganui - Submissions have been received requesting Council to allocate funds to upgrade the stormwater infrastructure to reduce flooding in the Triton Avenue and Te Maire Street area.

6. Issues and Options Flooding at Birch Avenue Industrial Area - Property Managers Ltd (Submission 29: 2011/12 Annual Plan) has requested that the stormwater infrastructure in the Birch Avenue area be upgraded to reduce flooding.

7. Proposed Sale of the Clarke Street Elder Housing Village - To consider whether or not Council wishes to proceed with the proposal to sell the Clarke Street Elder Housing Village to the Tauranga Community Housing Trust.

8. Draft 2011/12 Annual Plan Deliberations - Minor Issues and Options Papers - Council is required to make decisions on issues raised though the Draft 2011/12 Annual Plan submissions process.

9. Local Government Funding Agency Scheme - To consider the financing issues relating to funding from the proposed Local Government Funding Agency Scheme and adopt the amended Treasury Policy.

10. Insurance Issues - The Christchurch earthquakes, particularly the February quake have had a significant impact on Council's insurances for the 2011/12 year. As this information is only just coming to light it has not been possible to provide budget updates before now.

11. Venues & Events Compliance with Funding Policy - Background information is provided regarding the internal submission adjustments made to the Venues and Events Activity budget in the 2011/12 Annual Plan to ensure compliance with the funding policy.

12. Adoption of Revised Revenue and Financing Policy - To consider adoption of the revised Revenue and Financing Policy following consultation through the draft Annual Plan process.

13. Annual Estimate Concerning Route K Tolls 2011/12 Financial Year – Submissions - The report presents the submissions received on the Annual Estimate Concerning Tolls – Route K Empowering Act 2000 and seeks Council's decision on any necessary amendments.

Monday 30 May – 1.00 pm - Item with Set Time

14. Tsunami Preparedness and Response - Providing a summary of three issues the Council has directed staff to provide information on: sirens, evacuation and education, and requires Council to provide direction.

Monday 30 May – 3.00 pm - Item with Set Time

15. Botanic Gardens – Minor Issues & Options Paper.

Tuesday 31 May – 9.00 am - Items with Set Time

16. Development Contributions Policy - Responses to 2011/12 Draft Annual Plan Submissions - Direction is sought from Council on the proposed responses to submissions on Council's draft 2011/12 Annual Plan that relate to the Development Contributions Policy.

17. Asset Management (CCTV) – Minor Issues & Options Paper.

Tuesday 31 May – 1.00 pm - Item with Set Time

18. Submission Response – Decision re Age-Friendly City - Considering a submission received on the 2011/12 Draft Annual Plan requesting Council's involvement in the World Health Organisation's
Age-Friendly City Process.

Thursday 2 June – 9.00 am - Items with Set Time

19. Financial Assistance Package for Leaky Homes - To consider whether or not Council will opt-in to the Financial Assistance Package scheme which is intended to assist owners of leaky homes to make those homes weathertight.

20. Issues and Options Paper: Discounts for Building Consent Applicants Repairing Leaky Homes - To seek Council direction on the subject of whether Council should discount the cost of the building consent process for building consent applicants repairing leaky homes.