Tauranga City Council is reporting northbound traffic at the Pyes Pa bypass is running on the new roundabout during peak times and overnight. During off-peak times, there are traffic lights operating, allowing traffic to travel on the southbound lane of the highway one direction at a time while the contractor excavates the original northbound lane.

As the new roundabout is about two metres lower than the existing road, a significant amount of earth needs to be excavated to complete it. The work is programmed to take eight weeks and the roundabout is expected to be fully functional in April.

This information from Tauranga City Council weekly bulletin for the week beginning Monday, March 14, published below.

City Waters

Water Supply

• The water main upgrade in the Matua area has started with works currently underway in Woods Avenue, Maxine Place and Strathmore Street.
• Valves in the Matua area have been inspected and remedial is work currently being undertaken, as part of a city-wide project.
• Remedial works are being carried out on pipe bridges over the Waiorohi Stream, as a result of damage during the recent storms.

Drainage

• One blockage reported this week. This resulted in an overflow to an open drain behind Brook Street. CCTV inspection has been requested to see if a cause can be identified.
• Works on removing silts from four stormwater ponds continues. These ponds have been in use for a number of years and need the build up of silt removed to restore them to original dimensions and storage. The ponds are off Bateleur Close, Resolution Road, Waipuna Grove and Waiorakei Way. Two ponds are mostly complete.
• Cleaning of a number of open drains and stormwater ponds of aquatic weed continues.
• Work continues on construction of a new stormwater overland flow path to help with flood protection for some Glenlyon properties.

Stormwater Pollution:

• No pollution incidents were reported to council this week.

• Pollution Prevention Audits of 400 food premises to check the condition and maintenance of grease traps and waste food oil storage is now complete. Follow up letters will be sent to premises where issues are required to be addressed.
• Pollution prevention audits of around 170 auto workshops have started. These will take several months to complete.
• The Pollution Prevention Quiz is now underway. Visit the display at one of our libraries throughout March (Mt Maunganui Library this week) and complete an entry form, or enter online at www.tauranga.govt.nz. All entries go into the draw to win a marine prize pack worth $850 sponsored by Rutherford Marine Electrical.

Southern Pipeline:

• Pipe laying in Oropi Road has reached Greerton Park.
• Directional drilling of Oropi Road Hill between Greerton Park and Chadwick Road and Fraser Street between Esk St and Baycroft Ave has now started.
• Pipelaying is continuing down Fraser Street north of Chadwick Road.
• The following works all require materials manufactured in Christchurch where the factory has been closed due to damage caused by the February earthquake. As existing supplies are exhausted the sites will be tidied, made safe and decamped until materials are available again (not expected to be before May).

- Works in Devonport Road between 12th & 15th Avenue

- Works in Devonport Road between 18th & 15th Avenue

- Works in Memorial Park

Parks and Leisure

• The sheep from Mauao have finished their holiday at McLaren Falls and will be returned to their home this week.
• Vegetation clearance at Topaz Reserve continues this week, assisted by the good weather currently being experienced.
• Memorial Park Playground is undergoing a make-over with a new paint-job. This is being split into three sections so the playground will be 2/3rds open at all times. It is expected this will take six weeks, weather permitting.
• The entrance of Otumoetai Railway Reserve will be receiving some maintenance (week beginning Monday 14 March). Works include the removal of an ageing and undesirable tree and shrub species.

City Projects

• Arataki Community Centre, Grenada Park - site works are underway excavating the building footprint.
• McLaren Falls Visitors Centre – site works are underway.
• Beach Road Walkway – storm damage repair works are underway. It is expected that works will take approximately one month to complete.

Transportation

• Annual Resealing Programme: Resealing work is continuing on various streets around the city.
• Devonport Road: Southern Pipeline work continues on Devonport Road. A single lane will be operating both sides of Devonport Road at the intersection with 15th Avenue. The progress of work along Devonport Road and at 18th Avenue is being affected by pipe supply from Christchurch.
• Domain Road / Tara Road intersection: A temporary stop/go system and reduced speed limit of 30km may be in place at times during the week as trees and vegetation are cleared in preparation for work associated with the Tauranga Eastern Link. Please take care when driving through this area and follow directions at all times.
• Esmeralda Street: Work to modify the existing two speed thresholds continues. Please take care when driving through the area.
• Hairini Link Advanced Works: Minor tidy up work is being done at the intersection of 15th Avenue and Friar Road and on the new pedestrian crossing at the intersection of 15th Avenue and Burrows Street. Work will commence soon on a new hand rail for the Turret Road Bridge. This work will have little impact on the traffic and pedestrian movements.
• Inner City Bus Stops: Work on the new bus stop facilities continues on both sides of Willow Street.
• Kairua Road: Work on the next stage of the reconstruction of Kairua Road continues. Minor delays are possible.
• Oropi Road/Fraser Street: Southern Pipeline pipe laying work continues along Oropi Road. Please use caution when driving between Glenlyon Avenue and Chadwick Road. Work has also progressed to Fraser Street north of the Chadwick Road roundabout and some detours are in place.
• Pyes Pa Bypass: Northbound traffic is now running on the new roundabout during peak times and overnight. During off-peak times, there are traffic lights operating, allowing traffic to travel on the southbound lane of the highway one direction at a time while the contractor excavates the original northbound lane. As the new roundabout is about two metres lower than the existing road, a significant amount of earth needs to be excavated to complete it. The work is programmed to take eight weeks and the roundabout is expected to be fully functional in April.
• Tara Road: Work on reconstructing the next stage of Tara Road is underway. The work site is adjacent to Gordon Spratt Reserve. Please take care and expect delays.
• Welcome Bay Road: Work to construct a new bus stop at the intersection of Welcome Bay Road and Greenwood Park Lane is expected to start this week.

Venues & Events

Baycourt Community and Arts Centre

• Sunday 13 March (1.30pm) - An Afternoon with Len Rawle - Presented by the Tauranga Theatre Organ Society at Baycourt Centennial Theatre.
• Wednesday 16 & Thursday 17 March (2 shows daily) - Nick Jr.'s Dora the Explorer LIVE! Search for the City of Lost Toys - Presented by Entertainment Store Group at Baycourt Centennial Theatre.
• Friday 18 March (8pm) - Michael Jackson HIStory Show - Presented by Showtime Entertainment at Baycourt Centennial Theatre.
• Saturday 26 March – Sunday 3 April (10am - 4pm daily) - National Art Exhibition 'Purely Pastel' - Presented by the Pastel Artists of NZ at Baycourt Centennial Theatre.

Democracy

Projects & Monitoring Committee - Monday, 14 March 2011 at 9am

• Tauranga City Aquatics Limited (TCAL) Six Monthly Report to 31 December 2010 - To receive the six monthly financial reports to 31 December 2010 for Tauranga City Aquatics Limited (TCAL).
• Tauranga Mainstreet Six Monthly Monitoring Report to December 2010 - Presenting the monitoring report for the Service Agreement between Tauranga City Council and Tauranga Mainstreet for the six months July to December 2010.
• Priority One - City Centre Strategy Six Monthly Monitoring Report to December 2010 - To present the monitoring report for the City Centre Strategy from Priority One for the six months to the end of December 2010.
• Tauranga Art Gallery Trust - Six Monthly Report - Presenting the six-monthly monitoring report for the Tauranga Art Gallery Trust, a council-controlled organisation.
• Creative Tauranga Relationship Agreement - Six Monthly Monitoring Report 1 July– 31 December 2010 - Presenting the monitoring report for the Relationship Agreement between Tauranga City Council and Creative Tauranga for the six months July – December 2010.
• Sport Bay of Plenty (BOP) Relationship Agreement Monitoring Report for Period 1 July to 31 December 2010 - Presenting the monitoring report for the Sport BOP Relationship Agreement with Tauranga City Council for the six months to 31 December 2010.
• Greerton Village Mainstreet Six Monthly Monitoring Report to December 2010 - Presenting the monitoring report for the Service Agreement between Tauranga City Council and Greerton Village Community Association (Mainstreet) for the six months from July to December 2010.