Council signs off the West Coast Regional Waste Management and Minimisation Plan 2024 – 2030

26 Jun 2025

Buller District Council adopted the West Coast Regional Waste Management and Minimisation Plan 2024 – 2030 (WMMP 2024-2030) at this week’s council meeting.

A consultation on the Draft West Coast Regional WMMP 2024-2030 took place between 18 November - 20 December 2024. In Buller, 30 submissions were received, and three submitters spoke in support of their submissions.

After discussing the submissions at a meeting on 26 March, the council recommended that no changes be made to the Action Plan component of the Draft WMMP 2024-2030.

At a post-consultation meeting of all three West Coast District Councils on 31 March, the feedback received was reviewed. As a result, several updates were made to the Draft WMMP 2024-2030:

  • Inclusion of an updated Waste and Efficiency Strategy;
  • Simplification of waste hierarchy graphics;
  • Three updates to targets and measurements (inclusion of green and food waste in Target 4; a recycling contamination target of 15% set to align with the national average in Target 5;
  • Calculation of the current biogenic methane emissions so this figure can be used as a 2022/23 baseline in Target 7); and
  • Creation of an appendix to track districtwide progress against the 2018 WMMP targets.

As the council has opted to adopt the WMMP 2024-2030, including the changes proposed above, the new plan will be formally released on 30 June 2025 and implemented at the start of the next financial year on 1 July 2025.

Achievement of the WMMP 2024-2030 targets will be funded through a combination of revenue from a number of sources, including:

  • Charges and gate fees
  • Targeted and general rates
  • Council’s annual reimbursement from waste levy funds (forecasted to be $240,000 for the 2025/26 financial year)
  • Other external funds such as Waste Minimisations Funds, the Regional Infrastructure Fund and private sector co-funding.

Group Manager Infrastructure Services Anthony Blom says: “The WMMP is a key document which aims to protect the environment from harm, and to provide environmental, social, economic, and cultural benefits to our communities.

Although some of the projects and actions outlined in the WMMP will require investment of funds as part of their implementation, Waste Levy funds will be available to fund most of these projects, with ongoing benefits for all. It is also important we are on board regionally so that we can work strategically, in unison with our neighbouring West Coast councils.”

Notes to the reader:

A total of 46 submissions were received across the West Coast. Grey District Council gathered eight submissions, and eight people submitted on the draft plan in the Westland District.

The Waste Minimisation Act 2008 (WMA2008) requires all territorial authorities to adopt a Waste Management and Minimisation Plan (WMMP). This plan will serve as the guiding document promoting waste management and minimisation within each district. The WMMP must be reviewed and updated at least every six years.

The Draft West Coast Regional Waste Management and Minimisation Plan 2024-2030 was developed by the three district councils (Westland, Grey, and Buller) to identify regional opportunities for waste management, develop regional waste infrastructure, and boost economies of scale.

-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 time of publication. Changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the information.