Would you upgrade to a larger red rubbish bin if it meant paying extra rates? That's one of the questions we're asking as part of consultation on our draft Waste Management and Minimisation Plan.
Every council in New Zealand is required to prepare a Waste Management and Minimisation Plan and review it every six years.
Our current plan was adopted in 2018, and our latest review shows the district has made good progress in reducing landfilled waste. But that progress has slowed, and almost half of what we send to landfill could still be reused, recycled or composted.
Councillor and Solid Waste portfolio holder Niki Mealings says the Council wants to build on the progress already made and keep reducing the amount of waste going to landfill.
“Our draft plan sets out options to help us reduce waste, improve recycling services and ensure our waste facilities can meet the needs of a growing population.”
As well as proposing a larger 240-litre rubbish bin for households and businesses that need more capacity, Council is looking at where to expand its kerbside collection service.
"Following requests from residents in the Swannanoa, Mandeville and Ohoka ‘limited-service’ areas, we're considering expanding kerbside collections to more properties within these communities, as well as offering an organics bin option.
“The Council is also looking at extending kerbside collections to properties close to existing collection routes, including Ashley and Loburn Lea, Clarkville, and the Fernside Triangle”, Councillor Mealings says.
The draft plan also looks at how the district’s transfer stations can continue to meet the needs of a growing population.
Both Southbrook Resource Recovery Park and Oxford Transfer Station were built in 1998 and are reaching the point where significant investment is needed to provide acceptable levels of service for customers and keep increasing landfill diversion.
Solid Waste Asset Manager Kitty Waghorn says that while expanding the existing sites would provide capacity for the next 20 to 25 years, they don't have the physical space to meet the district's needs over the next 50 to 100 years.
"That's why we're also investigating the option of developing a larger, centrally located resource recovery facility in Waimakariri. A purpose-built facility would create more opportunities for recycling, provide a space for education and repair workshops and recover difficult waste streams, such as builders’ waste.
"We're still in the investigation phase, but we recognise the current Southbrook site has value and would look to sell it to help offset the cost of developing a new facility," Kitty says.
Provide your feedback
The consultation is open for four weeks, with residents invited to complete a short online survey by 5pm, 27 September. An interactive map showing the proposed kerbside collection expansion areas is also available as part of the consultation.
Visit waimakariri.govt.nz/letstalk
Council is looking to expand its kerbside collection service in its draft Waste Management and Minimisation Plan.