Waste Management and Minimisation consultation given the go ahead
Councillors adopted the draft Regional West Coast Waste Minimisation and Management Plan at their meeting yesterday. Next month, the community can give their feedback on how council plans to minimise and manage waste in the region over the coming six years.
Group Manager Infrastructure Services Michael Aitken explains: “The Waste Minimisation Management Plan (WMMP) is the guiding document for promoting waste management and minimisation within a district or region. The existing regional WMMP was developed in 2018 in partnership with Westland and Grey District Council and after six years it is due to be reviewed.”
The three district councils, Westland, Grey, and Buller District Council, have developed the new Regional West Coast WMMP 2024-2030 together to identify regional opportunities for waste management, develop regional waste infrastructure, and boost economies of scale.
The West Coast community from Haast to Karamea can provide feedback on the new West Coast Regional WMMP between Monday 18 November and 5 pm Friday 20 December 2024.
Mr Aitken highlights: “There are many challenges and opportunities connected with waste management in rural regions. We want to hear our community’s thoughts on where to focus our energy to improve waste management and minimisation. We also would like to know how we can best inform people in Buller about waste management and minimisation activities. “
People living in Buller who own a property, run a business or have other connections to the district are encouraged to give their feedback, either online or in hard copy.
The feedback received will be published in late January and people who wish to speak to their submission can present their views to councillors in early 2025. Council will consider the community’s feedback and, if required, make any changes to the draft WMMP.
The suggested changes from all three district councils will be collated in a final WMMP which all three district councils will adopt in 2025.
The content of the draft West Coast Regional WMMP is summarised in the Statement of Proposal. These documents, the submission form, and the Regional Waste Assessment 2024 can be found on the council’s engagement platform (letstalk.bullerdc.govt.nz), available from Monday 18 November until 5 pm Monday 20 December.
The Buller community can access all documents at council’s offices in Westport, the Reefton Visitor and Service Centre, the Sue Thomson Casey Memorial Library in Westport, the Karamea Information Centre and the Ngakawau Information Centre.
Mr Aitken outlines: “Everyone produces rubbish, so we strongly encourage residents to give us their feedback and ideas about how council can approach waste management and minimisation in Buller in the future.”
Notes to the reader
The draft regional WMMP was prepared using information gathered through a West Coast Regional Waste Assessment that describes the current situation regarding waste in the region and outlines relevant legislation, policies, and central government activities. The draft plan incorporates feedback from the Medical Officer of Health and guidance from councillors.
The draft WMMP aligns with the 2023 Te rautaki para - National Waste Strategy as required in the Waste Management Act 2008.
-ENDS-
For further information, please contact:
Community Engagement Team
Buller District Council
Media.Enquiries@bdc.govt.nz