Two appeals remain against the resource consents for the construction and operation of a new water intake and treatment plant to serve the Papamoa urban growth area. For the Waiari Water Supply Project, Tauranga City Council has signed an agreement in principle with the appellants and a consent order is due to be lodged with the Environment Court on May 14.

This information from Tauranga City Council weekly bulletin for the week beginning Monday, April 26, published below.

City Waters
Water Supply:
• The Parton Road watermain upgrade between Tara Road and Bell Road has started.
• The watermain replacement along SH2 at Bethlehem is due for completion at the end of April.
• The replacement of a pressure reducing valve and installation of a bulk water meter is currently underway on Poike Road. This work is due for completion by the end of April.
• The Matua Road watermain upgrade is almost complete with the contractor now working on reinstatement.
• Two planned shutdowns occurred overnight in Wharf Street to upgrade water mains.
• Planned shutdowns also occurred in Poike Road to install a new fire hydrant and in Alice Lane to connect a new section of water main.

Drainage
• A blockage in Brook Street - probably roots - caused an overflow which affected the Courtney Road Drain and Waimapu Estuary. The blockage has been cleared and the site cleaned up. Health warning signs are in place at Courtney Road and Turret Road. Water quality test results on Tuesday next week.
• Work at Harrison's Cut (near Royal Palm Beach Estate) storm water overland flow channel is complete. The site has been hydro seeded ready for rain to get some grass growing. Material removed from this area is being used as fill in a short pipe extension to the sovereign drain in the same area.
• The minor storm water improvement works in Elizabeth Street and Glasgow Street are complete.
• 17th Avenue stormwater improvement work continues. The earthworks are mostly complete.
• Work is scheduled to commence off 5th Avenue and Sheath Street next week to replace a short length of defective sewer pipe and to remedy two manhole structures that have corroded from hydrogen sulphide.
• Some additional weed spraying was completed to open drain inverts at Te Maire Street and Vale Street.
• Plans to improve the open stormwater drain in Vale Street near Andrew Place (approximately 80m in length) are presently being prepared. The work is to protect the banks from on going erosion and enhance the appearance of the drain.
• Three sewer blockages were attended to this week. Again these were relatively minor blockage incidents affecting local properties. No spills to any waterways.
• Gabion rock basket work to the open stormwater drain is due to start on the Matua Life Care site off Levers Road. The works will stabilize the drain banks on both sides of the drain and protect the adjoining properties.

Stormwater Pollution:
• The Pollution Prevention Quiz was drawn from over 700 entries on Monday and the lucky winner was Leah Howard. She will be presented with her prize this week – a GPS worth $850 sponsored by Rutherford Marine Electrical. Congratulations to Leah and thanks to everyone who took part!
• Two pollution incidents occurred this week: 1) A watermain break resulted in the discharge of silt and sediment into the stormwater network and into the harbour. Clean-up work required the removal of sediment from streets and the stormwater network. It is vital for contractors to ensure they know where service lines and pipes are before they undertake works; 2) A second incident involved the discharge of food oil from a business into the Te Maire Street open drain. It is not known how the oil entered the drain but a spill and subsequent wash down seems likely. The oil was removed by vacuum truck from the drain. Environment BOP will be undertaking follow-up with the business concerned.
• A stormwater 360 treatment device is being installed this week as part of the works on Wharf Street for bus stop upgrades. The system is being put in place to treat stormwater run-off which discharges to the harbour from the bus stops going in around the Council buildings.

Bulk Water Meter Installation Project:
• The bulk meter renewal project is nearing completion. The scope has been extended to include remedial works in the Windermere area - due to be undertaken mid-end April.

Southern Pipeline:
• Work is continuing on the new 1300m3 wastewater storage tank and pump station site at Maleme Street with completion to be completed June/July 2010.
• The first section of pipeline between Maleme and Memorial is programmed to be tendered in the second quarter of 2010 with construction starting in the third quarter of 2010.
• Work is continuing on detailed investigation for the Judea Link emergency management option.

Inflow Reduction Project:
• Council is continuing gully trap inspections in the Bethlehem area, and is visiting properties in the vicinity of Ballantrae Place, Chelsea Court, Cumbrian Court, Huntington Drive, Knightsbridge Place, Millbrook Drive, Orange Lane and St Clements Grove over the next few weeks. For more information about this project, go to www.tauranga.govt.nz and enter keywords 'gully trap' into the search box.

Parks and Leisure
• Filming at QEYC on Monday, April 26 for a programme on ‘Careers in Public Health' on behalf of the Ministry of Health. The case Medical Officer of Health Neil de Wet will be speaking about Community Based Assessment Centres and what considerations have to be made about these in the context of pandemic planning. The QEYC has been identified for use in a pandemic emergency.
• Mount Greens Sports – croquet lawns are due to be handed over on April 30 to Mount Greens Sports who will be undertaking the grow-in phase of lawn development. The whole construction programme continues to be on track with proposed timeframes.
• For Mauao - a small temporary fence will be erected at the recently repaired terracing on the western facing slopes on the summit, to stop park users causing more damage while creating a desire line track to the summit. If park users could stay on the formal tracks it would be much appreciated.
• Arborists will be starting work on trees around the Base track. Work will last for a couple of weeks, with some track closures expected. The first track closure will be the Waikorire track closed from 8am on April 28.
• Planting continues of the 22,000 wetland plants at the Gordon Carmichael Reserve.
• Repairs are being made to the drainage system and walkway on the western side of the Bethlehem Wetlands.
• Playground at Gordon Carmichael will be completed this week.

City Projects
• Mount Greens - construction work is continuing with the utility building and the installation and testing of the irrigation system. Laser levelling of the croquet lawns will start on April 26. Construction of parking along Tawa Street is ongoing. Water storage tanks have now been installed to site and bore water connections carried out.
• Gordon Spratt - Changing Facility: Earthworks completed and building platform constructed. Building foundations have now been completed. Extensions of bulk services will be carried out over the next week. Water shutdown notice for Thursday, April 22 has been requested for water connections to the new facility.
• Gordon Spratt - Storage Facility: Earthworks have now been completed and building platform constructed. Building foundations are now complete and the building framework has been completed. Storage facility roof has been installed.
• New sportsfield lighting is currently being installed at Grenada Park. This work was scheduled to be completed by now, but has been delayed as the supplier delivered the wrong lighting brackets. Currently waiting for the correct brackets to arrive so the job can be completed.
• Construction of the new public toilets at Cambridge Park is scheduled to start on April 26 and is programmed to take six weeks.
• The gravel car park at Harrisons Cut (Papamoa Coastal Reserve) is to be upgraded. Upgrade works include sealing the car park and installing new stormwater drainage. The work is currently being priced and is due to be undertaken in May.
• The Gordon Carmichael Reserve playground is installed.
• The Glenpark Reserve playground will be installed next week.
• Work has recommenced on the Waikareao Boardwalk north of Montgomery Road and will take the boardwalk out of action for approximately one month.

Transportation
• Bethlehem Township Improvements: Construction of the new roundabout on SH2 at Bethlehem west is continuing. Work on the roundabout is expected to be completed by the end of June. Traffic management and site screens are in place but only minimal delays are expected. Preparatory work also starts this week on the upgrade of SH2 through Bethlehem. This work will be done on the shoulders of the road and involves relocating an existing water main and telecommunication box and undergrounding power lines. Disruption to traffic is expected to be minimal.
• Golf Road: Work to install traffic signals at the intersection of Oceanbeach Road and Golf Road continues. The remaining work involves upgraded pedestrian crossing facilities and footpath reconstruction as well as installation of the traffic signals.
• Maunganui Road: Major reconstruction work on Maunganui Road between Concord Avenue and the Hewlett's Road flyover continues. Safety improvements will also be made at the intersections of Maunganui Road and Concord Avenue and Maunganui Road and Spur Avenue. The work is expected to take about eight weeks to complete. Traffic management is in place and motorists should expect delays and use an alternative route if possible. As with all work of this type it is dependant on fine weather.
• Wharf /Willow Streets: Storm water and watermain upgrades are complete. Footpath works will continue this week outside Baycourt along with the installation of the concrete bus bays. While the work is being done, Wharf Street is reduced to one lane for traffic coming from Cameron Road towards The Strand.
• Kairua Road Reconstruction: Major road works are continuing on Kairua Road. The work involves 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 another five weeks to complete.
• Beaumaris Boulevard/Sterling Gate Drive/Waihi Road Link: Construction continues. Until the work is completed, the pedestrian access to the storm water reserve at Beaumaris Boulevard is closed. The pedestrian access between Sterling Gate Drive and Waihi Road is closed during working hours. The new road is expected to be opened in July 2010.
• Pyes Pa Bypass: Construction of the Pyes Pa Bypass to link SH29 through to SH36 by the Crematorium continues. The new bypass is expected to be open to traffic in 2011.
• Parton Road: Work is expected to be completed by late May. Top soil and grass seed is being laid beside the completed sections of footpaths. Final asphalt sealing will follow after the installation of the box culvert which is scheduled for early May. Landscaping will be done in June.
• Local Road Resealing: The local road resealing programme is expected to be completed around early May. Generally this work involves minimal disruption to traffic.
• Vale Street: Work to reshape Vale Street between Baden Street and Landscape Road to form an overland stormwater flow path during severe storms is continuing. Work on the section between Baden Street and Hinewa Road is currently underway. Please pay attention to signs and take care when driving in the area. Work is expected to be completed by October.
• Valley Road: Minor work modifying a catch pit is underway. There is traffic management in place so please take care when driving through this area.
• Minor Safety Works Stage Two: Work starts in Victory Street (two new thresholds) and Falcon Drive (throat island) this week. There will be traffic management in place so please watch for signs and take care when driving in the area.
• Glasgow Street / Second Avenue: Work to upgrade the storm water system at the intersection of Glasgow Street and Second Avenue starts this week. The work is expected to take about ten days to complete. Disruption to traffic should be minimal but please take care when driving in the area.

Libraries
• The library moved to a new library management system (Symphony) this week, the old system (Horizon) was no longer supported by the IT provider. The change over went well with minimal effect to library customers.
• Fifty people attended Jackie Gower's (co-author of the $21 challenge) presentation on Wednesday 21 April.

Venues & Events
Baycourt Community and Arts Centre
• Tauranga Musical Theatre is packing in for their production of Miss Saigon that opens on 24 April. The sets and props are on an epic scale including a helicopter, a flag with 1014 light bulbs and giant steel gates than be climbed on! Tickets are still available for this musical.