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Secretarial notes: Reviewed the
current budget, surplus carryover, and allocation options for the coming
year, sought committee direction on spending priorities for machine cleaning,
spraying, and contingency items.
o
Provided clarity on the $10,000 in the budget for tree removal
– this is a contingency that has been retained as there are often trees
to remove.
o
Confirmed that unspent funds from the previous year are carried
forward (this was from spraying work not executed), resulting in a healthy
balance available for the current year's works.
o
Members expressed concerns about timber from removed trees
being potential future risk in weather event situations. NRC have lifted and
stacked trees for farmers to burn, NRC hasn’t managed burning in the
past. The Working Group agreed that this is the landowners
responsibility and this is what was agreed previously. Landowners need to be
reminded to burn in the appropriate season.
o
It was agreed that if contract funds run out during machine
cleaning, NRC is authorised to approve additional spending (within reason) to
complete agreed works, with notification to the committee.
Reviewed the current and
planned river maintenance activities for 2025/26 season, including machine
cleaning, and spraying. The he challenges of executing these works within
budget and environmental constraints were discussed.
o
Outlined the planned machine cleaning for the year, specifying
targeted sections and noting that the scope is limited by a fixed budget,
which often prevents completion of all desired works.
o
The 2025 drone flight will go up to the bottle neck again using
NRC drones
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Committee members expressed frustration with contractor
reliability and communication, citing instances where work was incomplete or
poorly coordinated in their view and called for improved notification and
accountability from the council.
o
In response to concerns, NRC agreed to explore assigning a
dedicated supervisor to oversee machine cleaning, acknowledging that this
would increase costs but could improve quality and accountability.
Discussed the
ongoing challenges with the targeted rate system, the need for increased
funding if the work prorgramme was to be expanded, and the process for
adjusting rate..
o
Committee members expressed concerns that the current funding
is insufficient for the required river maintenance, with increasing costs and
a backlog of work leading to river deterioration and silting.
o
Concerns were raised about the fairness of the targeted rate,
with some contributors to the catchment not paying rates (an example was
given of forestry). Staff pointed out that targeted rates were on the basis
of those who benefit pay” as for other river schemes.
o
The committee debated the merits of engaging external experts
for oversight, with Joseph noting that while this could bring additional
expertise, it would also increase costs compared to in-house management.
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NRC Rivers Team has committed to improving advance notification
to landowners about scheduled works and to ensuring that feedback from the
committee is incorporated into operational planning.
o
Proposed that the working group identify desired outcomes for
increased funding, after which NRC would cost out the work and present
options for the next meeting, allowing informed decisions on future rate
adjustments.
Discussed the spraying programme for bull rush and
Manchurian wild rice, including methods, environmental restrictions, and the
need for trialling different application techniques.
o
Nicole described the phased approach to spraying, with Nancy
planning to break the work into sections to minimise water testing costs and
environmental impact, and to coordinate timing with machine cleaning.
Explained the colour scheme on the map – Spring
(November) treatment outlined in pink, if funds remain will continue
downstream into green until funds are exhausted. Autum treatment is the blue
section, again if fund remain work will continue into the section green until
funds are exhausted.
o
Committee members recommended trialling various spraying
methods—helicopter, boat, and handgun—to determine the most
cost-effective and practical approach, with Nancy to incorporate feedback and
hotspot mapping from the group.
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Noted that we haven’t been charged for Nancys time
Agreed action points:
1.
Establish a process whereby, if machine cleaning funds run out
mid-contract, NRC is authorised to allocate additional budget (e.g., up to
20% more) and notify the committee accordingly.
2.
NRC to send communication to landowners reminding them to
burn/remove stacked tree debris in the appropriate season to prevent
downstream blockages during future storms.
3.
NRC Rivers manager to contact Douglas Logging regarding the
removal of felled trees and the viability of chipping.
4.
NRC to arrange for Nancy / engineer to visit the river before
deciding on the spraying approach for problem areas.
5.
NRC Rivers and Natural Hazards Officer to meet with NRC
Biosecurity Specialist - Pest Plants (Nancy) to confirm a plan for the MWR
and bullrush work and communicate this to the working group
6.
Committee members were asked to mark hotspot areas for bull
rush and Manchurian rice grass spraying on the provided maps and NRC will
send these to Nancy for inclusion in the spraying programme.
7.
NRC to assign a dedicated supervisor for the catchment to
oversee machine cleaning operations and ensure accountability, with costs
charged to the catchment budget.
8.
NRC to improve communication with landowners regarding the
timing and scope of machine cleaning and other works, ensuring they are
informed before contractors arrive.
9.
NRC to review additional work that could be undertaken if a
higher targeted rate was charged.
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