Media Release

29 May 2013

Refuse hot topic for Buller moving forward

As part of the Council Annual Plan, Councillors are considering options for solid Waste for the entire Buller region, which will prove to be more sustainable environmentally and economically.

Council went through a process of requesting registrations of interest from tenderers, of which three were selected from the seven who submitted. Those contractors were then invited to submit a tender, for a new and improved system of waste and recycling management throughout Buller which incorporates the use of wheelie bins.

Only one tender was received which was from Smart Environmental Ltd, this tender document is currently being reviewed.

Currently there are three options for your Councillors to consider, these being:  The new wheelie bin for recycling and a bag for residual refuse service offered by Smart Environmental Ltd  A similar service offered by WestReef Services Ltd  Continue with the existing service provided by WestReef Services Ltd

During the Annual Plan consultation period Council has received a lot of feedback from residents who do not want the new service, and would prefer to ‘go it alone’. As a result of this, Council staff have separated the proposed plan for the Buller district into three zones.

Zone One covers Westport, the areas from Westport to the Bridge, Westport to , Westport to including and Reefton to .

Zone Two is the Karamea area from north of Mokihinui Bridge. Zone Three is the area beyond Blacks Point including and .

Zones Two and Three would continue to use the landfill they are currently serviced by and would not have a kerbside collection, therefore remaining the same as they currently operate.

The cost for operation of the Karamea Landfill (Zone 2) is $37,271.38 with no recycling and $50,590.90 if the recycling service is kept. Based on the 348 properties that are in this area, an amount of $145.37 would be charged per property to meet the running cost of the Landfill; this fee includes continuing with the recycling service. If the recycling was discontinued then the amount to be met by ratepayers would be $107.10 per property, per year. All costs shown are based on a per annum figure.

There is a public meeting in Karamea to discuss options moving forward for the Karamea area on Tuesday June 4 at the Last Resort at 7pm. All residents are encouraged to attend.

Zone Three, being the Maruia area, which has no recycling, has an operational cost of $8,632.72. Therefore based on the 130 ratable properties in the area an amount of $66.40 would apply per property to cover the Landfill operational costs.

For both Karamea and Maruia the estimates are based on present charges at the landfills.

For Zone One there are three options to consider these being:  Option A – Continue as currently operated but within a revised cost structure, meaning the subsidies that are currently applied across the rating base for the benefit of those in outlying areas, will be removed. Option A would have a flat target rate of $305 per property.  Option B – An “in-house” proposal that continues with the bags for residual rubbish but also introduces wheelie bins for recycling. The cost of Option B would result in a flat target rate of $251.78.  Option C – Introduce the services of Smart Environmental which is based on bag sales and wheelie bin charges for rubbish, free recycling via bins and crates. Continued gate charges at the Transfer Stations, introduction of a reuse centre and other enhancements within the current system. This new service would have a flat target rate of $222.81 that would apply to each property in Zone One.

All three of the options above can work but there are differences among the three that relate to level of service, cost and method of funding. Councillors will work through these options to identify the best option for Zone One.

Council encourages all ratepayers to review this information and pass on your feedback to your local Councillors as it will affect everyone across the board and to do so before the Council meeting on Monday 10 June 2013.

ENDS

Further information; Steve Griffin: Manager, Operations Buller District Council (03) 788 9111