The annual water mains flushing programme in the Avenues is complete, with the rest of the programme temporarily on hold as contractor City Care was short staffed in Tauranga. This was due to the relocation of some of their workforce to assist in the clean up of Christchurch after the earthquake.

All crews are now back from Christchurch and the remainder of the flushing programme is being reviewed.

Flushing is expected to continue in the Mount Maunganui and Papamoa areas over the coming weeks once the programme is confirmed.

This information from Tauranga City Council weekly bulletin for the week beginning Monday, October 11, published below.

City Waters

Water Supply

• A mains break on Monday at Waikite Road caused considerable damage to the road. Watermain was repaired on the same day and road reinstatement is currently being undertaken.
• Inspections and maintenance are being carried out on the Cambridge Road and Kaitemako Road Reservoirs

Drainage

• Bollards off Parton Road are to be installed to restrict unauthorized vehicle access to the storm water reserve off Parton road following on from the recently completed road works.
• Two wastewater blockages: One blockage was a damaged service connection from recent telecommunication duct installation in Western Road and the other was a blocked service connection that required jetting to clear.
• The Fraser Street sewer/walk access track work is finished.
• Work to clean out the Third Avenue West stormwater pond is complete.
• Two sewer odour complaints were received this week. One was from Bell street the other in MacDonald Street. Both are being investigated to determine cause.

Stormwater:

• Two pollution incidents this week. Both incidents involved the discharge of cement slurry and high pH wash water into stormwater sumps. One was a result of wash down following a concrete pour and the second from exposed aggregate wash-off. Both incidents required clean-up to remove slurry and wash water. The pollution prevention team are following up with the parties involved.
• The Stormwater Pollution Prevention Bylaw hearing was held in Council Chambers on 21 September 2010. Councillors voted to adopt the Bylaw effective from 1 November.

Waiari Water Supply Project:

• The Environment Court has issued a consent order which resolves all appeals against the Waiari Water Supply Project to construct a water supply intake and processing plant from 2014.

Bulk Water Meter and Pressure Management Project:

• A project is being planned to install additional bulk metering and pressure management in Birch Avenue and 12th Avenue. This will regulate pressures in the area and also improve the water supply zoning in this area. The planned start is November 2010.

Southern Pipeline

• The tender for the first section of pipeline between Maleme Street and Memorial Park has been awarded to Downer NZ Limited based in Greerton. Construction is expected to start on or around 18 October 2010. They have opted not to use the consented lay down area in Pemberton Park.

City Projects

• Ground reshaping around the changing facility at Gordon Spratt Reserve is now complete.
• Car park construction at Mount Greens has started.
• Work on the new geotextile sand bags at the Grant Place Stormwater Outfall is progressing well. The bags are being used to replace the old rock and wire gabion baskets that provide scour protection at the outfall.
• Work to construct a 950m long, three-metre wide aggregate path through the Wairakei Drainage Reserve is scheduled to start on 11 October 2010. The contract period is eight weeks. The path goes from Golden Sands Drive to Emerald Shores Drive in Papamoa.
• Except for minor touch ups, the Central Parade Shopping Centre Revitalisation project is complete.
• Indoor Sports and Exhibition Centre update:

Area 1: the central core is 100% framed up and first fit-out is underway.

Area 2: the three-court area has the slab poured to one court and the steel framing to the east wall is mostly erected. The two-girder lintels either side of centre court are in place, and the roof framing is largely in place. Bleachers on the north side are partially in place.

Area 3: the six-court area - the slab to two-thirds of the courts are poured and the six-court storage area floor is poured. Steel framing to the storage area is erected and infill timber framing is underway.

See http://www.tauranga.govt.nz/council-projects/indoor-sports-exhibition-centre/webcam.aspx for time lapse and up to date web cam.

Parks and Leisure

• A street tree on Willow Street outside Poppies bookshop was removed today and the tree outside Guardian Trust will be removed next week. They are being removed due to having lifted the cobbles and the offending roots are too large to cut and still retain the trees. They will be replaced next planting season.
• Spring is here! Floral CBD hanging baskets have been making a great show since October arrived. There's also a new display in the Tropical House at Robbins Park and roses are coming into bud and bloom. Cherries are flowering abundantly in Greerton, Cherrywood, and the Lakes.
• Works are about to start to re-level the main rugby field at Tauranga Domain. This is to enable athletic clubs to comply with international javelin requirements as well as addressing levelling issues in preparation for hosting Fiji for the rugby world cup in 2011.
• Currently in the process of upgrading beach coastal beach access ways at Mount Maunganui/Papamoa.
• Renewing of all annual bed gardens throughout the city is now in progress, in preparation for spring bloom.
• Greerton Hall had exterior paint as part of regular maintenance programme this week.
• Works to repair damaged floor (under insurance claim) - occurring week of 12 - 19 October.
• Mount Maunganui Sports Centre: Interior painting and replacement of fire egress doors occurring as part of regular maintenance programme.
• Memorial Hall kitchen upgrade is scheduled to start at end of October.

Transportation

• New Speed Limits: New speed limits come into force this week along Domain Road, Oropi Road, Alice Lane, Kairua Road and outside Maungatapu Primary School, Brookfield Primary School and Bethlehem Primary School. Watch for the new speed limit signs.
• Annual Resealing Programme: The annual resealing programme has started. Resealing work is currently underway in various streets in the Mount area.
• Hull Road: Work to upgrade the Maunganui Road and Hull Road intersection continues with night work planned for this week. The project is expected to take about eight weeks to complete, depending on weather. Some delays are likely and motorists are advised to use an alternative route if possible.
• Cameron Road/Munro Street: Work to upgrade this intersection starts this week and is expected to take about six weeks to complete depending on weather. The work involves installing new traffic signals, cycle lanes, and improvements to the footpath and vehicle crossings as well as a new pedestrian crossing.
• Pyes Pa Bypass: Work is underway to complete the 4.2km Pyes Pa Bypass which will connect the State Highway 29 roundabout near the tolled section of Takitimu Drive (Route K) to State Highway 36 (near the crematorium). There may be some disruption to traffic when work beings to construct a new roundabout on SH36 later this month.
• Hairini Link Advanced Works: Work on NZTA's 15th Avenue and Fraser Street intersection improvements is underway. Expect lane closures and please take care when travelling through the site or chose an alternative route.
• Bethlehem Township Improvements: Work on the new footpaths near the existing pedestrian crossing on the southern side of the state highway continues. Work is mainly off the road and shouldn't affect traffic. Work continues on widening of the road on the northern side of the state highway near Countdown. Parking is no longer available on the north side of SH2.
• SH2 Watermain Relocation: Work to relocate the watermain alongside SH2 is continuing between Mangatawa Lane and Domain Road. Work is currently at the Domain Road end. Shoulder closures and lane diversions are in place with intermittent stop/go control. Motorists are advised to take care when driving through the area
• Gravatt Road / Domain Road Intersection: Work to upgrade this intersection is continuing. Expect minor delays during peak traffic. Pedestrians are asked to follow the temporary signs around the work site.
• Tauriko Slip Repairs: Essential slip repairs are continuing on SH29 at Tauriko. Most of the work is being done on the shoulder of the road. Traffic management and a temporary speed restriction are in place. Please take care when driving through the area.
• Vale Street Stormwater Project: The last phase of the reconstruction of Vale Street, between Hinewa Road and Landscape Road, is continuing. Please pay attention to signs and take care when driving in the area.

Venues & Events

Baycourt Community and Arts Centre

· Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 October - Biography of my Skin by Miranda Harcourt and Stuart McKenzie at Baycourt Centennial Theatre

· Saturday 16 October (9:30am - 4:30pm) - Being a Writer in New Zealand - Imprints 2010 Conference by University of Waikato and Tauranga Writers

· Saturday 16 October (7:30pm) - 100 years of Broadway - Presented by Tauranga Civic Choir

Event Support

· Saturday 16 October - Venues and Events are assisting with the 'Jazz for Christchurch' event at Holy Trinity (fundraising for Christchurch earthquake victims).

Democracy

Hearing Before Commissioner - Thursday, 14 October 2010 - 9.00am - Te Awanui Harbour Room

· Two Degrees Mobile Ltd, 1 Taipari Street, Maungatapu, Tauranga (RC15054) - To hear and determine a limited notified land use consent application pursuant to Section 88 of the Resource Management Act 1991 made by Two Degrees Mobile Limited.