Buller District Council to reconsult on rubbish collection services
Council will reconsult with the Buller community on the proposed changes to rubbish collection services. Residents can submit their feedback, via online and paper forms from April 12 to May 13, 2024.
The four options to be consulted on are:
Option 1: Status quo – A private sector contractor provides a weekly pre-paid bag and wheelie bin collection via ‘Pay As You Throw’ (PAYT). The contractor sets pricing and charges for the service.
Option 2: A private sector contractor provides wheelie bin collection via PAYT. The contractor sets pricing and charges for the service.
Option 3: Council, through a private contractor, provides a fortnightly wheelie bin collection with a single 120-litre bin size, via PAYT. Council sets pricing and charges for the service (each household will receive a 120-litre wheelie bin).
Option 4: Council, through a private contractor, provides a fortnightly wheelie bin collection with several different bin size options, i.e. 80 litres, 120 litres or 240 litres. Council sets a rate for each bin size and charges via targeted rates (each household will receive a 120-litre wheelie bin unless they opt for a different size).
Recycling collection will continue as usual, paid through an additional rates charge, as per the current process.
The estimated costs for the new options proposed are currently undergoing financial review.
Council will make a final decision at the full council meeting on 26 June 2024. The option adopted will be implemented from July 2025 onwards.
Rubbish collection services in Zone 1 are currently provided via a private commercial operation, managed and operated by Smart Environmental Ltd.
The services are provided using the PAYT model, with either 60-litre plastic rubbish bags or a private wheelie bin with refuse collected on a periodic basis. Official refuse bags are currently sold for $9.10 each, including GST.
The current contract for waste management services with Smart Environmental Limited has been extended until June 30, 2025.
Last year, consultation from 7 August to 8 September 2023 proposed the four options below:
- A shift from using 60-litre rubbish bags to having a 120-litre wheelie bin provided by Council.
- Mandatory rubbish and recycling collection.
- Changing from weekly to fortnightly rubbish collection.
- Paying for rubbish and recycling collection through rates (rather than buying rubbish bags) i.e. a targeted universal rate charge.
Written and oral submissions highlighted a range of views from the community including some supporting a shift to collection of rubbish in wheelie bins, concerns about a shift away from the current ‘pay as you throw’ approach, concerns about making rubbish collection mandatory and specific comments regarding Council delivering rubbish collection through a third party. Overall, 73% of submitters were opposed to the proposal.
-ENDS-
For further information please contact:
Group Manager Infrastructure Services
Michael Duff
[email protected]