Council to work with potential Trash Palace operators

The Porirua City Council is talking with several operators interested in taking over the operation of Trash Palace and the inorganic waste collection service.

Last night the Council agreed to recommendations in a report about the closure of the recycling and collection business after Mana Recovery went into voluntary liquidation.

“There’s significant interest in the community wanting to quickly get the operation up and running again and that’s what we’re aiming to do,” Mayor Nick Leggett said.

Councillors made it clear they wanted the services to continue and were told of strong interest from a variety of potential service providers to take over their operation.

“We are engaging with these organisations and individuals. We will also advertise for a new operator next week and will hold a workshop with those who have registered an interest the following week.

“An operation model will then be agreed.”

The process would take approximately four months, however councillors asked management to be as brisk as possible to ensure services to residents were up and running again as soon as practicable.

Trash Palace is administered by the Council on behalf of the joint venture. The Council owns 78.5 per cent of the joint venture and Wellington City Council owns the remainder.

The joint venture provides $36,000 in funding a year for repair, maintenance and insurance costs and provides the premise rent-free. The Council funds $250,000 a year for the Inorganic Collection Service.

“The Council supports Trash Palace and this hasn’t changed. What we do need to do now is check what the requirements are and if there’s anything that needs to change or broaden.

“The community has a big role to play in making Trash Palace a success and volunteering is likely to be a part of that,” Mayor Leggett said.

ENDS

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