Tauranga City Council is this week cracking down on scrap metal dealers and auto dismantlers that are parking unregistered and unwarranted vehicles on berms or roads.
The council is ordering these vehicles be removed and says vehicles and wrecks remaining after February 19 will be towed.
The issue of storage of vehicles and wrecks was highlighted as an issue at a number of sites across the City during recent audits.

This information from Tauranga City Council weekly bulletin for the week beginning Monday, February 16, published below.

City Waters

Water Supply:

• Two large main breaks on critical mains occurred last week, Ohauiti Reservoir inlet and Golf course on Matapihi Road. Reservoir levels at the Mount Reservoir had got down to 30 per cent and the Ohauiti Reservoir got down to 31 per cent. City Care managed to get both these repairs completed and both reservoirs are now at full capacity.
• A water mains break at Chadwick Road has proven to be quite serious. A new temporary additional 355mm overland pipe line has been installed at the Chadwick water main break site. It has been sterilized and will be commissioned today. Options are being investigated for a permanent solution.
• The Parton Road water main upgrade is due to be connected over the next week and this will involve two more shutdowns. There should be no loss of water but some areas of Papamoa east will experience lower pressure than normal. Notification will be sent out to affected areas.
• A water shutdown is programmed for Aerodrome Road on Monday, February 15, affected consumers will be notified by way of a letter drop.
• The watermain replacement in Hillcrest Road and Cameron Street between Elizabeth and Spring Street is progressing. Apollo Street and Pamela Place are in progress and due to be completed in March.
• The replacement of a pressure reducing valve and installation of a bulk meter is currently underway on Poike Road and this work is due for completion end February.
• The new Ohauiti High Level water supply reservoir is still being filled for testing due to further delays due to issues elsewhere in the network. The reservoir is due to be put into service in March.
• Otumoetai Watermain Upgrade - Connecting up in Pillans Road and installation in Ruston Avenue
• Fire hydrant marking and servicing continues in the Maunganui and Salisbury area and throughout the city over the next few months
• Backflow Surveys continue in meter Zone 17 (Maungatapu) and Zone 20 (Welcome Bay). This survey will focus on commercial and industrial properties to ascertain if there are any potential operations that could affect the quality of our water network is a cross connection occurred. However, any home based operation such as hair salons will also be visited. The survey will take most of February and the contractor, (Norman M Ellis Ltd) has a letter of introduction and Council ID card.

Drainage:

• Five sewer blockages were reported and attended to last week. None caused any overflow to reach a waterway. The blockages reported were at Domain Road, Marire Drive, 17th Avenue, Kent Street and Dunton Drive
• There was a total of 70 separate calls made to report flooding that Council contractor City Care Limited were required to attend following the storm of the 31 January 2010.
• Work continues on spraying of open drains in the city and is scheduled to carry through to the end of February 2010 throughout the district. This included a section of the Kopurererua Stream from approximately Cyprus Street to SH29 near Toll Plaza.
• Work has been completed on the replacement and regrade of a short section of sagged sewer pipeline in the rear section of a couple of properties in Linton Crescent, Matua.

• Rock gabion basket work has been completed to a stormwater outlet causing property erosion off Roger Guy Place.
• Work continues at Bakels Edible Oils Ltd on replacement and upsizing of a small section of the sewer main within their yard off Hutton Place.
• Repair to the reclaimed water transfer main pipeline coating is required in two locations that was identified in a recent survey of the cathodically protected pipeline following recent harbour link bridge work and is scheduled to be completed this month.
• Reinstatement to a damaged section of stormwater drain retaining wall off Awaiti Place is scheduled to begin. The timber wall was damaged in recent storm

Stormwater Pollution:

• Follow-up continues with recommendations made to Oil Companies following service station stormwater pollution audits carried out last year and with concrete manufacturing sites. Liaison with these sites will continue over the next few months to ensure all recommendations are implemented. This work is ongoing.
• Work has commenced on preparation of a template for a TCC Pollution Prevention Plan. This template will assist business and industry in preparing their own Pollution Prevention Plan which outlines how their operation manages stormwater pollution risks. It will detail site activities, the sites risk of causing land and water pollution, how these risks are managed and the programmes and systems implemented to ensure the plan is effective in reducing these risks. When completed, this template will be available for use on council website. This work is ongoing.
• In response to a number of wastewater overflows which occurred during the storm event of January 31, water quality testing at all but one location indicate acceptable levels. Health warning signage has been removed at all locations with the exception of 7th Avenue. Further water quality testing at this location will be carried out early next week.
• Assistance in relation to building consent applications for construction of washbays and other stormwater pollution issues is being provided to two industrial sites.

Waiari Water Supply Project:

• Three appeals have been received against the resource consents for the construction and operation of a new water intake and treatment plant to serve the Papamoa urban growth area. Tauranga City Council is in discussions with the appellants and parties must report progress to the Environment Court by February 26.

Bulk Water Meter Installation Project:

• The bulk meter renewal project is about to get under way with a start being made on Mangatawa Reservoir meter.

Water Demand Management Project:

• A pressure management pilot project has been initiated in Mangatapu. There have been no complaints of low pressures, investigative work will be completed to assess if losses have reduced.

Parks and Leisure

• Next week garden clearance work will be completed on the large gardens along Maunganui Road from Hewletts Road to Central Parade. This is to provide safety clearance for maintenance staff from both the road and the rail corridors.
• Waterford Downs playground has been temporarily closed for two days this week for renewal of safety surfacing. The site will be taped off with explanatory signage erected around the perimeter.
• For Mauao, highest recorded base track number with 135,096 visitors in January 2010.
• Work will begin soon to upgrade the Papamoa Lookout, situated at Papamoa Domain.

City Projects

• The new concrete path along the waterfront at Fergusson Park has been completed. It will enhance the accessibility and amenity value of the park and has received positive comments from the regular local users. It is 2.5 metres wide to safely cater for cyclists (including 3 year olds on training wheels) and pedestrians.
• Concept design for the McLaren Falls Visitor Services Building has been completed. The construction of this building, which includes the information/ education area, public toilets and Ranger's office, is due to commence in the 2010/11 financial year.
• The largest of the bridges in the 18th Avenue Esplanade Reserve is closed until February 20 for repairs.

Tauranga Indoor Sport & Exhibition Centre:

• Foundation construction is underway this week using cement/soil mixed columns. Drainage work is in progress around the exterior of the proposed building envelope.

Libraries

• There is a new film database available in Tauranga Library's New Zealand Room. It includes over 500 videos including many classic NZ films.
• The Teen Mean Reads finale event went extremely well, 62 teens had a fabulous afternoon completing a scavenger hunt throughout town.
• eLearning computer classes (in the Tauranga Library Learning Centre) started last Friday classes include digital photography, online shopping and exploring the internet.

Transportation

• Temporary Changes to Bus Stops: For the next few months all Bay Hopper Tauranga buses will stop at, and depart from, Durham Street near Baycourt instead of Willow or Wharf Streets. This temporary arrangement is in place while essential roadworks are done on Wharf and Willow Streets. Signage directing people to the temporary bus stops is in place and information is available on buses, in your local library and in the Council Customer Service Centre on Willow Street.
• Kairua Road Reconstruction: Major road works are due to start this week on Kairua Road between number R194 and the intersection with Welcome Bay Road. The work will involve some earthworks to improve bends, reconstructing and resurfacing the road, installing new kerb and channelling, and upgrading stormwater and a watermain. Some disruption to traffic can be expected at times and there will be speed restrictions in place. The work is expected to take about 10 weeks to complete.
• Wharf /Willow Streets: Major road works are due to start on Wharf and Willow Streets later this month. The work will involve reconstructing and resurfacing the road and installing new kerb and channelling. Additional work includes upgrading the sewer, stormwater, watermains, and some parts of the footpath. While these road works are underway, the BayHopper Tauranga buses will operate from temporary bus stops on Durham Street.
• Coopers Road / Farm Street: Work to remove existing speed humps and replace them with speed cushions is continuing. There is traffic management in place so please take care when driving through the area.
• Hynds Road: The speed humps removed prior to Christmas are being replaced with speed cushions. There is traffic management in place so please take care when driving through the area.
• Bethlehem Roundabout: Construction of the new roundabout on SH2 at Bethlehem west is underway. Work is expected to be completed by the end of June. Traffic management and site screens will be in place but only minimal delays are expected in the early stages of construction. Motorists are advised to take care when driving through the work site.
• Parton Road: Work is continuing on laying the new kerb and channel and footpaths. There will be unsealed sections and temporary speed restrictions will be in place. Installation of twin culverts across Parton Road at the Wairakei drainage reserve is continuing. Traffic control is in place and when required, a temporary one way system will be in operation.
• Local Road Resealing: The local road resealing programme is underway and will continue until late March. Generally this work will involve minimal disruption to traffic.
• Andrew Place/Shelley Street: Work to install new storm water pipes is continuing. Some minor disruption to traffic is possible.
• Vale Street: Work to reshape Vale Street between Baden Street and Landscape Road to form an overland stormwater flow path during severe storms is underway. Kerb and channel is being laid in Vale Street between Baden Street and Hinewa Road. The whole project is likely to take eight months to complete and intermittent disruption to traffic is likely. Please take care when driving in the area.