393 days ago

Update on Fruit Fly - Grass Clippings, Food Scraps, Public Bins

I've received clarification from MPI on how those in Zone A and Zone B should handle grass clippings. Below is also info on the food scraps collection and an update on public bin locations.

GRASS CLIPPINGS:
If you live in Zone A:
If you have no fruit trees on your property, dispose of your lawn clippings as you normally would.

If you do have fruit trees:
* Put your lawn clippings in the biosecurity collection bins on your property.
* You can also continue to use green waste bags or bins for your clippings - MPI will also manage this waste.
* If you normally leave your clippings on your property, you can continue to do so.

If you live in Zone B:
If you have no fruit trees on your property, dispose of your lawn clippings as you usually would.

If you do have fruit trees:
* Put your lawn clippings in the public biosecurity collection bins. These can be found roughly every 400 metres and at every exit around the perimeter of Zone B.
* You can also continue to use green waste bags or bins for your clippings - MPI will also manage this waste.
* If you normally leave your clippings on your property, you can continue to do so.

RUBBISH BIN LOCATIONS:
Every household in Zone A has been issued with it's own biosecurity bin.
For Zone B, a public biosecurity bin has been positioned roughly every 400 metres and at every exit around the perimeter of Zone B.
The MPI team is currently on the ground geotagging the bins, and hope to have an accurate map of all bin locations up on their website by the end of tomorrow (Weds).

FOOD SCRAP COLLECTION:
➡️ ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz...

If you live in Zone A, there will be no food scraps collections until further notice. All food scraps (fruit, vege, meat, cooked meal scraps, dairy products, rice and pasta etc) should also go into your biosecurity bin.

If you live in Zone B, the food scrap collection will continue, however any homegrown produce waste and garden waste (including grass clippings) must be disposed of in the public biosecurity bins.

MORE INFORMATION:
➡️Birkdale Fruit Fly: www.mpi.govt.nz...
➡️Food scraps: ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz...

More messages from your neighbours

4 minutes ago

A reminder this hunting season

The Team from New Zealand Police

As thousands of hunters are making their plans for autumn – the Roar – recreational firearms groups are urging hunters to always be 100% sure of their targets.

Te Tari Pureke - Firearms Safety Authority NZ, which chairs the Recreational Firearms Users Group, has begun a public information campaign reminding hunters everywhere of Rule #4 of the Firearms Safety Code: to identify their target beyond all doubt.

Director Communities and Corporate, Mike McIlraith, says there is an estimated 50,000-60,000 New Zealanders involved in big game animal hunting each year, and the Roar is the key event for many hunters each year.
“The Roar is a fantastic time of year for hunters to get out into the hills after a trophy animal but hunting safely and making sure everyone gets home in one piece, still must be the most important goal of every trip,” says Mike McIlraith.
“The consequences of not fully identifying your target beyond all doubt can be catastrophic. Our message to hunters is a really simple one: If you are not sure, then don’t shoot.”

Mike McIlraith says while hunting fatalities are thankfully rare, research has shown that misidentification of the target is the largest firearms related risk to New Zealand deer hunters, and 80% of the time this involves members of the same hunting group.

The Authority says hunters should not feel pressured to take a shot: “Instead, hunters should take the time to analyse their target, wait and see if it is a hind or stag, how old is the animal, how many points does its antlers have? Identifying your target means never firing at sound, shape, colour or movement alone.”

Mike McIlraith says good hunters will slow down, and run through some simple mental checks:
- Can I see the whole animal, or could this be another hunter?
- Where are my hunting companions – could this be them or someone else?
- How much of the animal can you see, if it is a hind or stag, how old is the animal, how - many points does its antlers have?

“Taking a little extra time to identify your target and check the firing zone is the key to safer hunting. No meat or no trophy is better than no mate,” he says.

Poll: How important is the ability to book a doctor’s appointment online?

The Doctors

Hi Neighbours
Here at The Doctors we would love to hear how you prefer to book your doctor’s appointments. With busy schedules, different people find different methods easier.

For some, online booking is very convenient, you can make an appointment anytime without needing to wait on the phone. Others still prefer calling the clinic and speaking to a real person, especially if they have specific questions about their visit.

Your feedback helps us understand what works best for our patients and how we can improve access to care. Find out more