25 May 2012

Waste plan deliberations next week

The first Auckland-wide plan for tackling waste will move a step closer next week with the panel of councillors and independent commissioners deliberating on the draft plan on Tuesday.

More than 2000 submissions were received on Auckland Council’s draft Waste Management and Minimisation Plan (WMMP), with the majority of submitters supporting the key proposals for getting Auckland’s rubbish and recycling sorted.

Councillor Noelene Raffills, chair of the hearings panel, says following its public deliberations on the draft plan and submissions received the panel will make recommendations to the council’s Governing Body, which is due to decide on the plan on 8 June.

“Change in how we deal with waste is needed to reduce harm to the environment and become the world’s most liveable city. The challenge is deciding on the strategic direction and range of services and initiatives to best achieve these goals, which is what our panel will deliberate about on Tuesday.”

Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse says once the final plan is adopted consideration of supporting regulations and detailed planning for the staged implementation of the plan will begin, including potential kerbside collection changes from 2015.

“Key to success will be working with the community and the waste industry on the best way to implement the final plan.”

Key proposals in the draft WMMP included:

• a target of reducing domestic kerbside waste sent to landfill by 30% per person by 2018;
• disposer-pays for household refuse collection;
• wheelie bins for households rubbish collection (except on Hauraki Gulf islands);
• a rates-funded organic waste collection for households;
• a rates-funded inorganic collection for households every one or two years;
• advocating for product stewardship schemes for packaging and various products;
• communications and community engagement activity to help householders/businesses adapt to any service changes and reduce waste to landfill.

More information, including a summary of the submissions received, is available online at www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/wasteplan.

The WMMP hearings panel deliberation is scheduled for 12 noon on Tuesday 29 May in the Committee Meeting Room, Level 15, Civic Administration Building, 1 Greys Avenue, Auckland CBD. The media and public are welcome to attend the meeting, but cannot participate in the deliberation.

ENDS

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