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Official Information Request - Rotorua stormwater system

Date:
Categories:
Official Information Requests

Sent: Tuesday, 20 April 2021 8:21 am

Subject: Official Information request - Rotorua stormwater system

I refer to your online Official Information request of 19 March 2021 regarding maintenance on the Rotorua stormwater system and more specifically the Tarewa Road to Utuhina Stream section. I respond below as per your email:

What instructions are given by the Council infrastructure team to Infracore on the required maintenance on the Rotorua stormwater system and more specifically the Tarewa Road to utuhina stream section?

Infracore are required to inspect and weed spray unlined open drains on a routine six-monthly basis. There are also some unlined open drains that are mown by side arm mower. This drain is one of them.

In regard to the Tarewa Road stormwater culvert when was Council first aware of problems relating to the maintenance and land condition of said culvert and what actions are being taken by council to prevent this from reoccurring?

Footpath cracking was observed January 2019. Report from public about side of drain slumping was received January 2019. Minor maintenance and footpath repairs were undertaken.

How many times was the Tarewa Road stormwater culvert visited by maintenance workers over the past 3 years and how often should maintenance workers have checked the culvert over the past 3 years?

Inspection records from Infracore show that, in addition to the routine maintenance undertaken, unplanned maintenance was undertaken as per the following table:

When was Council first made aware that stormwater during a moderate rainwater event reaches 3 metres or parallel to road level in the Tarewa Road culvert?

This is a known stormwater drain that flows into the Utuhina Stream. It is expected to contain stormwater flows without overtopping, it is therefore expected to flow full at times. The level in the drain can also be influenced by the level of the stream that it discharges to. There was email correspondence with a member of the public during 2019 and 2020 about the level of the flow in the drain



In April 2018 there was a flood in excess of a 1% AEP event (1 in 100 year event). The below graph shows the height of the Utuhina Stream and the attached photos (above) from 3.41pm on that day also show the influence of the stream level on the drain.

When does council expect subsidence remedial work to start and/or be completed on the Tarewa Road culvert?

The works are expected to be completed summer of 2021/2022.

When did council first become aware that a member of the public, concerned with the lack of maintenance in recent years, took it upon themselves to do some of the clean up work? and what actions did council take to either support or oppose this action?

Initial contact was made with Mayor Steve Chadwick in December 2018. Reply emails and further information and correspondence was undertaken during 2019/2020 and early 2021.

On 11 December 2020 a member of the public emailed the 3 Waters Services Manager to inform him that they were weed eating the drain and wanted to clean all the way to the Utuhina Stream. The member of the public advised that Infracore and Council staff had seen him carrying out this work but had not said anything. There is no record of this. The member of the public advised there was rubbish and rocks in the drain. The member of the public had been advised that police action could be taken against him so wanted to check with Council about his weed eating work.

On 15 December 2020 the 3 Waters Services Manager responded neither endorsing or opposing the efforts for the member of the public. He advised minor maintenance work would be carried out, and the more serious work to stabilise the banks was not currently budgeted for but was being planned.

You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this response. Complaints can be sent by email to info@ombudsman.parliament.nz, by fax to (04) 471 2254, or by post to The Ombudsman, PO Box 10152, Wellington 6143.

Publication of responses to LGOIMA requests

Please note: Our LGOIMA responses may be published on the Rotorua Lakes Council website after they have been responded to, with requesters' personal details withheld. If you have any concerns about this please contact the Council on info@rotorualc.nz .

Regards

Craig TirianaKaihautū - Ohu Toihautū| Deputy Chief Executive, Chief Executive's Group
Waea: 07 348 4199 | Waea pūkoro: 027 838 9961
Īmera: craig.tiriana@rotorualc.nz | Ipurangi: rotorualakescouncil.nz
Taunga: 1061 Haupapa St, Private Bag 3029, Rotorua Mail Centre, Rotorua 3046, New Zealand
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