Changes Ahead For Council

Marie from Waikanae

The Waste Minimisation Act (2008) requires Councils in NZ to have a plan to divert waste from landfill, with stated outcomes. Despite this, the amount of waste going to landfill in NZ is high. We are the tenth worst producers of waste in the world, at an average of 3.6 kg per person, per day. Given that we produce around 300 gms of waste every two to three weeks at our house, there are obviously people producing a lot more than 3 kg.
Shortly, the Government will announce an amendment to the Act which sets targets for diversion of waste which Councils must meet. Fines will be imposed for those councils that do not meet their targets. Given the lip service that KCDC pays to waste minimisation and its preference for closing recycling centres, its highly likely that KCDC will fail to meet these targets. As well, their attitude toward paying such fines or legal fees is remarkably cavalier. They seem to see it as part of the job description. I cant say I'm comfortable with my carefully budgeted rates, that I send to KCDC every fortnight, being used to pay fines because they cannot take waste minimisation seriously. They are neither sincere or genuine in their concerns regarding management of waste, greenhouse gases and climate change.
Want to hear more? Come along to the public meeting on Sunday at 3.00 pm at the Waikanae Beach Community Hall, Rauparaha St Waikanae Beach, just down from Longbeach. We'd love to see you there.