It was early morning tea for some well behaved Tauranga City Councillors this morning after the committee meeting they attended was called off owing to a lack of interest.

Councillor Murray Guy was one of the few people to attend today's wastewater management review committee meeting.

Under standing orders the wastewater management review committee had to be adjourned because there were not enough of its members attending to make the required quorum of five.

The committee keeps an eye on the performance of the sewerage ponds in Rangatawa Bay and provides a vehicle for any ensuing environmental health concerns.

Today's meeting was to hear a 45 minute address on the ponds, their state of health and future options for them in view of the looming increased workload from the Southern Pipeline.

Committee chairman, Councillor Murray Guy, was forced to vacate the chair 10 minutes after the posted start time of 9am. The only other committee members present were Councillor Bill Grainger and Matire Duncan and Colin Reeder from the Nga Potiki hapu.

Councillor Rick Curach put in an apology for lateness, but Councillor Bill Faulkner made no apology for his non-appearance, and nor did Reon Tuanau or Carlton Bidois.

An angry Murray Guy was afterwards criticising those who failed to show or make any apology.

'Elected members have to understand their responsibilities,” says Murray.

'They should be accountable.”

While the Wastewater Management Review Committee is required to meet a minimum of twice yearly, its role in monitoring the health of the harbour environment is significant.

'I don't think there is one person who lives in the region who doesn't value the contribution the harbour makes to their lifestyle,” says Murray.