West Coast communities provide feedback on the Draft West Coast Regional Waste Management and Minimisation Plan
The West Coast community had their say on the Draft West Coast Regional Waste Management and Minimisation Plan 2024-2030 (WMMP) between Monday, 18 November and Friday, 20 December 2024.
A total of 46 submissions were received west coast-wide. Buller District Council collected 30 submissions, Grey District Council gathered eight submissions, and eight people submitted on the draft plan in the Westland District. Eight people want to present their views to their council (five in Buller, one in Grey, and two in Westland).
The Draft West Coast Regional Waste Management and Minimisation Plan 2024-2030 (WMMP) was developed by the three district councils, Westland, Grey, and Buller District Council, to identify regional opportunities for waste management, develop regional waste infrastructure, and boost economies of scale.
In Buller, 30 submissions were received, 25 were online, and five were received in hard copy.
Group Manager Infrastructure Services, Anthony Blom, says: “The submissions have provided Council with helpful information regarding our priorities for waste management and minimisation in Buller. The findings indicate that the submitters are aware of many current issues surrounding waste management and minimisation.”
“65% of the submitters agreed with the proposed vision of the Regional Waste Minimisation and Management Plan. Respondents think that Council should focus on making waste diversion easy, supporting product recycling schemes, and communicating and sharing reduction, reuse and recycling activities.”
Respondents mentioned that Council should prioritise education and information to support residents' adoption of ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle. In particular, the submitters desire more education and communication regarding waste minimisation.
Submitters highlighted that the Council should work directly with industries that create products and packaging that end up in landfills, so households are not responsible for disposing of packaging such as soft plastic.
Acting Group Manager: District Assets Erle Bencich says that while the number of submissions received for Westland District was small, thoughtful feedback was received. “Overall, there is support for a WMMP, but submitters would like to see higher reduction targets, robust outcomes and greater support for rural communities to participate in waste management – they want to see action from Council, not just strategies.”
Some strong themes from the feedback include the importance of supporting and advocating for a circular economy and reduction, improving options for people to reuse and recycle through Westlands’s transfer stations, and reduced cost to deposit waste and recycling.
In Grey, 8 online submissions were received, with one person wishing to speak to Council.
Grey District Council’s Utilities & Infrastructure Manager, Kurtis Perrin-Smith, expressed gratitude to all submitters for their considered feedback on the Draft WMMP. While submission numbers from Grey District were lower than anticipated, those who provided feedback strongly supported the proposed plan.
“The engagement we received highlights a shared commitment to improving waste management in our region. The submissions reinforce the importance of collaboration in achieving efficient waste minimisation and management outcomes,” said Mr Perrin-Smith.
Three key themes emerged from the feedback: the creation of partnerships to enhance waste management initiatives, support for product recycling schemes to encourage sustainable practices, and easier waste diversion to reduce landfill waste.
Each council will carefully consider their communities’s feedback this month as the final version of the WMMP is developed, ensuring that community perspectives help shape future waste strategies for the region. Each council can propose changes to the draft WMMP.
Westland District Council, Acting Group Manager District Assets Erle Bencich concludes: “ Any suggestions have to be balanced against budgetary restrictions and statutory requirements and guidelines.”
People who wish to speak to their submission will present their views to councillors during the hearings later in the month.
The suggested changes from all three district councils will be collated and integrated into the final WMMP if applicable. All three district councils will adopt the final plan in March 2025.
Notes to the reader
The Waste Minimisation Act 2008 requires all territorial authorities to adopt a WMMP and review it every six years.
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.
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For further information, please contact:
Buller District Council Media.Enquiries@bdc.govt.nz
Grey District Council: Megan Bourke megan.bourke@greydc.govt.nz
Westland District Council: Emma Rae, Emma.Rae@westlanddc.govt.nz