Buller District Council’s revised waste services contract to be retendered

Buller District Council has released its updated waste services contract Request for Proposal to the market via selective tendering, where only existing tenderers are invited to resubmit.

Applications are open for the next five weeks, until Thursday, 18 September. The contract, effective for 2026-2036, has an updated scope of services.

In April 2025, the council decided to move to a rubbish collection service paid through a targeted rate for Buller’s Zone one, rather than the previously proposed pay-as-you-throw model.

Group Manager Infrastructure Services Anthony Blom says: “It was proposed that the scope of services would be modified and run through a revised contract and tender process. All companies that tendered initially have indicated they are open to receiving the revised scope of services and tendering again.”

The new waste management contract will encompass the management of waste and recycling services and facilities in Zone one, including kerbside rubbish and recycling collection, operations at Westport and Reefton Transfer Stations, and the emptying of public litter bins in urban areas.

Council’s current contract with Smart Environmental Ltd was extended by 12 months earlier in 2025 and will end on 30 June 2026.

The council initially went to the open market in September 2024, seeking proposals from waste management companies interested in providing waste management services for the ten years from 1 July 2025.

“Proposals from tenderers were received, but following the evaluation, further operational risks were identified, resulting in the council deciding to review the scope of services,” continues Mr Blom.

Council expects the current procurement process to be finalised in late 2025, with a preferred supplier expected to be confirmed and endorsed by the council in November 2025, ready for the new contract to commence on 1 July 2026.

The Buller District is divided into three zones for recycling and refuse. Zone one covers Westport, the areas from Westport to the Mōkihinui Bridge, Westport to Punakaiki, Westport to Reefton (including Blacks Point), and Reefton to Ikamatua.

-ENDS-

For further information, please contact:
Community Engagement Team 
Buller District Council
Media.Enquiries@bdc.govt.nz 

Disclaimer
The information in this media release was correct at the time of publication. Changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact the accuracy of the information.