Draft Minutes of HCA Meeting, Held on 18Th October 2016

Minutes of the Hawea Community Association (HCA) Inc. Executive Committee meeting, 20th December 2016.

PRESENT:Paul Cunningham (Chair), April Mackenzie, John Taylor, Barbara Chinn, Rachel Brown, Don Robertson, Doug Brenssell, Laura Solbak, Chrissie Robertson.

APOLOGIES: Jude Battson (present for the public meeting on Chlorination), Dennis Hughes, Dave Sherwin, John Osborne, Ian Henderson (Community Police).

Apologies accepted; P. Cunningham/ L. Solbak

The meeting was held in two parts: firstly the topic of Chlorination of the water supply was open to the public. The second part of the meeting was normal business.

CHLORINATION.

14 members of the community attended this first part of the HCA meeting to discuss the recent decision of the QLDC to chlorinate all of the water supplies in the district.

The chairman welcomed the community members to the meeting and invited Jennifer Runmore to share her views on this matter. Jennifer explained her concern about chlorination of the water; she was of the view that insufficient debate was taking place publicly about the pros and cons of chlorination. She shared information about the approaches taken in some other countries to deal with water quality without chlorinating. She felt that the Hawea community had been very clear that it did not want its water supply chlorinated and was anxious that the QLDC had not respected that view and not consulted on this latest decision.

Rachel Brown took the opportunity to outline how and why the decision to chlorinate had come about. The decision to temporarily chlorinate the water supply in all 12 QLDC area water supplies was an operational decision and had been taken by the QLDC CEO. Such a decision is within his authority and had been taken following instructions from the chief medical officer, and following legal advice, that all practical steps needed to be taken to ensure that water supplies met official drinking standards set by the District Health Board. Following the Havelock North water contamination incident, each Council throughout New Zealand must have a plan to bring and maintain drinking water up to standard. A community cannot contract out of that requirement by being willing to carry the risk. Rachel went on to further explain the risks to the quality of the water present, themselves, in two parts of the water supply system: one at source, and two, through the pipe infrastructure. She assured those present that the Hawea Bore system was highly regarded as an effective tool for controlling water quality at source. However, the risks through the pipelines were high and could only be effectively treated by chlorinating the water. Water in the pipe system can be contaminated because of leaks (including dripping taps), back flow, poor plumbing practices etc.

Laurence Hardy, a community member introduced himself and explained his experience as a qualified water treatment operator (now retired). He explained the risks to the two parts of the water system and that chlorination was the only current option for treating the water in the pipes. The UV filter system is very effective but it only kills contamination at the point of contact (that is at source) and does not deal with water that becomes contaminated in the pipe system.

It was acknowledged by all present that communication from QLDC needs to be improved. A letter was being distributed to those households on the town water supply. Jude Battson read out the letter dated Dec 6th which, among other matters, indicated that the water would be temporarily chlorinated from December (unclear as to start date) until the end of March 2017.

Rachel Brown explained that QLDC would need to consult before any chlorination could be made a permanent feature; such a decision would not be operational and therefore would need to be made by elected officials following consultation.

Concerns were expressed by community members as to the health risks of chlorination and the lack of information from QLDC on the risks of water contamination; why or how those risks arise and the link to chlorination being the solution to address those risks. Also of concern was the fact that the letter was sent initially to ratepayers only, therefore some residents did not get the letter.

The Chairman thanked the community members for attending and indicated that this topic would be placed on the agenda for the regular HCA January public meeting.

The public part of the meeting finished at 8.25pm.

Timmy Dorma, stayed for the first few moments of the HCA meeting to express his thanks to the HCA for the support it had provided in regard to the new cricket pitch. The support was greatly appreciated by the teams.

MINUTES of the 15 November meeting had been circulated. They were approved by the committee. B. Chinn/P. Cunningham

CORRESPONDENCE:

IN:

* 05/12/2016 FROMMichele Poole (QLDC) TOHCA Chairman, re Temporary Chlorination Over the Summer Peak

* 06/12/2016 FROM Hannah White (QLDC) TO Paul Cunningham re January 10 Visit to Hawea of Mayor and Council CE

OUT:

* 06/12/2016 FROMPaul Cunningham TOHannah White (QLDC), re January 10 Visit to Hawea of Mayor and Council CE

It was moved that all inward correspondence be received and outward correspondence be approved. B.Chinn/P. Cunningham. Approved

REPORTS:

Financial (A Mackenzie) Report attached.
HCA calendar (D. Brenssell) - no report
Guardians (J. Battson) - no report
Community Police. (I. Henderson) - report attached
Lake Hawea Community Centre (D. Brenssell) – no report
Wanaka Community Board (Rachel Brown)
The chlorination of the water is the main topic on their agenda
Consideration is being given as to whether to mow Lismore Park
Foreshore Report. (D. Turnball) - report attached
Green Waste Centre. (D. Hughes). Report attached.

In addition to receiving the statement of receipts and payments to 15 December, the committee discussed the items of expenditure for approval. Of particular note was the approval for $7,500 donation to the Hawea Flat School to offset the costs associated with repairs to the swimming pool after high winds and resulting power surge damaged pool equipment earlier in 2016.

Also approved was the sum of $2,700 to be donated to the Hawea Play Group for maintenance of the historic Hawea Flat Post Office building. The committee noted the fund- raising efforts of the Playgroup and the historical importance of the building.

In addition to matters raised in the report and those noted above, approval was also given for Green waste Signage ($625); tools for the foreshore and Gladstone gap work ($297).

The QLDC grant ($5,000) had been received since the report was issued, and subscriptions of $20 per member household were being received.

It was moved that all Reports be accepted; P. Cunningham/D. Bressnell. Approved

BUSINESS;

SH6 Lake Hawea Turnoff - update (P. Cunningham). The street lights had been delayed, but are due soon.
Domain Road Recycle/Refuse Station – Signage (P. Cunningham) – Diana Manson is putting in signage; and over the peak period will monitor the Station on a regular basis. Additional skips (3) were already in place.
January 10 Visit of Major Jim Boult and Chief Executive Mike Theelen (P. Cunningham). The meeting will be going ahead on the 10th, details of time and location to be confirmed. (NOTE: meeting with the mayor has been moved to the 11th of January 9.30 am at the Hawea flat hall. This is not a public meeting. Committee only)

Chlorination of Lake Hawea water supply (D. Robertson, R. Brown, P. Cunningham): the committee debriefed on the public part of the meeting (see above) and concluded that there should be a request from QLDC for more information; also a clear start and end date to be requested; it was agreed that Don Robertson would draft a letter on behalf of the HCA expressing disappointment about the decision and seeking more information about reasoning for the decision.

Lake snow algae in Lake Hawea. (L. Solbak). Laura gave background on the issue and expressed concern that the matter had come to the community’s attention through the news paper and not via information from the QLDC. QLDC had not, as far as she was aware, issued information on what actions might be taken in relation to the lake snow, or how they intended to keep the community aware of its impact.

Rachel Brown explained that the Otago regional Council (ORC) had held a public meeting on the issue the previous week (Don Roberston had attended). It is the ORC that is responsible for the sampling; but it was difficult to get any information about the testing. However, Don is aware that they are testing to determine if the lake snow is the North America variety – and if it is it may be classified as “invasive” and the ORC can hand the issue over to the Ministry for Primary Industry.

The Guardians of the Lake have already sent a letter to Alison Brown regarding the Lake Snow; raising concerns that a broader study needs to be undertaken to try and determine what factors are changing (e.g. Nutrient levels in lake) that have resulted in these microbes coming in to the lake.

Laura to approach Maggie Lawton (ORC Councilor) to find out how the ORC intends to keep the community informed and involved. B. Chinn and D Robertson will also provide input. Laura would also draft a letter to ORC and QLDC outlining issues and HCA’s willingness to distribute information about lake snow to the community.

Hawea Place Names (B Chinn) Barbara Chinn referenced her report on place names in the district; she explained the importance of settling on names and then getting them both gazetted and on maps going forward. It was agreed that this matter should be discussed at the January public meeting. Barbara would give a presentation. April offered to assist with the preparation of a power point presentation if Barbara wished that approach.
SAILZ Change of ownership Farewell and welcome (P. Cunningham); it was understood that ownership would change early February. It was agreed that some sort of event should be organised. Paul Cunningham agreed he would take this matter forward.
Website/Minutes and HCA communication (A Mackenzie). April referenced the memo that she had prepared for the committee on these matters. The committee agreed that practices needed to improve, and that it was necessary to consider what skills and strengths the committee needed around the table. The finalised minutes for July through November would be circulated to the Committee for their records and updated on to the website. Action to be taken in 2017 on these matters.
Looking Ahead: Prior expenditure requests and alerts
The town v country games would incur some expenditure

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Further follow-up was required to confirm car parking facilities for events at the Hawea Hotel; it was important that this matter be finalised and communicated to the various parties to ensure that freedom campers and others knew where they were permitted to park (they are not permitted to camp on the QLDC reserves).

The collection etc of rubbish following events also needed to be co-ordinated by the Hawea Hotel. Paul Cunningham to follow up with the Hotel and with Ian Henderson, Community Police, to ensure all arrangements are in place.

Tracks are to be mown
Hawea Flat – progress is being made on the speed limit along Kane Road being reduced to 80km
There will be a public meeting on 21st January 2017; Paul Cunningham to give notice to the community and prepare agenda

Next committee meeting February 21st 2017

HCA minutes 20 December 2016