Have your say on Hauraki Gulf Islands waste

Auckland City is calling for public comment on the draft waste management plan -Hauraki Gulf Islands section from 7 August to 8 September 2006.

The review of the waste management plan builds on the first Hauraki Gulf islands section which was adopted in 2000. Part of the plan’s actions took effect from July 2001 when various changes were made to improve services and achieve greater reduction of solid waste to landfill.

The draft waste management plan sets the strategic direction and provides a framework for action for the council’s waste management and minimisation work for the next five years.

Councillor Neil Abel, chairperson of the Works and Services Committee, said the reviewed plan incorporates feedback gathered from focus group workshops held earlier this year with key community and business organisations on the future direction of waste management on Waiheke and Great Barrier islands.

“The input received from focus groups at the beginning of the review was invaluable in helping to shape a draft waste management plan that reflects the needs and priorities of gulf island residents,” Mr Abel said.

The plan proposes initiatives and actions which build on the upgrades to the Waiheke transfer station and the Claris landfill on Great Barrier.

Other initiatives include:

o an investigation into the shape and size of service to provide incentives for further reduction of waste to landfill
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o a trial collection of food waste.
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While there have been some great achievements since the plan was first introduced, Councillor Abel believes the measures in the reviewed waste management plan will encourage Aucklanders to make further changes to decrease the amount of rubbish that ends up in landfills and to use resources more efficiently so that waste is avoided altogether.

“The council is confident that this reviewed plan will build on the positive work already being done to realise Auckland City’s goal of zero waste to landfill by 2015 and we encourage the public to comment on it.

“The dependence on landfill needs to be reduced and alternative ways of dealing with waste need to be actioned now. This review is very important because it allows council to identify the path forward towards the more efficient use of resources, the development of cleaner technologies and greater reuse and recycling.”

Copies of the draft plan are available from Auckland City libraries and service centres, on the website www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/waste or by phoning the council on 09 379 2020.

Councils are required to have a waste management plan under the Local Government Amendment Act (No. 4) 1996. Auckland City’s waste management plan is in three sections – isthmus, central area and Hauraki Gulf islands – and each is reviewed separately.

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