Media release
Together, the three district councils, Westland, Grey, and Buller District Council, have developed the new Regional West Coast Waste Management and Minimisation Plan 2024-2030 (WMMP) to identify regional opportunities for waste management, develop regional waste infrastructure, and boost economies of scale.
“The Waste Minimisation Act 2008 requires all territorial authorities to adopt a WMMP and review it every six years,” says Buller District Council Group Manager Infrastructure Services, Anthony Blom “The three district councils are seeking the community's feedback on the draft West Coast Regional Waste Management and Minimisation Plan 2024 – 2030 before the final plan is adopted.”
“Undertaking the public consultation allows the community to tell us if they believe we are taking the right approach when it comes to delivering waste management and minimisation services to the West Coast community.”
“One of the main challenges for the district councils is to afford the investment necessary to meet future national waste management and minimisation targets. This proposed WMMP offers ways to address this and other challenges such as the high amount of waste sent to landfills and inconsistent recording of key waste indicators like the percentage of contaminated,” notes Erle Bencich, Acting Group Manager District Assets at Westland District Council.
Kurtis Perrin-Smith, Grey District Council Utilities and Infrastructure Manager, adds, “Central government encourages a regional approach to waste management. Through this draft WMMP the three district councils suggest a range of actions focusing on waste management and minimisation infrastructure, community education and policies to address the challenges and opportunities identified in the region.
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 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.
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 each council’s website or engagement platform, libraries and service centres from Monday 18 November until 5 pm Monday 20 December.
Ends
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.
Media contacts:
Buller District Council: Mira Schwill, Mira.Schwill@bdc.govt.nz
Grey District Council: Shannon Beynon, Shannon.Beynon@greydc.govt.nz
Westland District Council: Emma Rae, Emma.Rae@westlanddc.govt.nz