BOP Council Update

More than 1800 tonnes of rubbish will be diverted from Western Bay landfill once a kerbside recycling, glass and rubbish collection service across approximately 80 percent of the District starts in 2021.
Western Bay of Plenty District Council has awarded EnviroNZ, formerly EnviroWaste, an eight plus two year contract to implement and manage the new kerbside collection services, complementing Council’s existing Community Recycling and Greenwaste Centres.
In the rural area (where there is an existing kerbside rubbish collection) there will be a fortnightly recycling and glass collection paid through rates and the weekly rubbish collection will be a pay-per-pick-up service. This will consist of a 240L recycling bin, 140L general waste bin and 45L glass bin.
In urban areas, Council will collect on a fortnightly cycle recycling, glass and a weekly collection of biodegradable food scraps and a weekly collection of rubbish. This will consist of a 240L recycling bin, 140L general waste bin, 45L glass bin and 23L food waste container.
The cost per household will range from $140-$150 through a targeted rate for urban households (mixed recycling, glass and food scraps collections), a $90-$100 targeted rate for rural households (recycling and glass collections, but no food scraps collection) and for all serviced households a $3.95 per pick-up for general rubbish – a pick-up cost is only charged when people choose to ‘pay as you throw’.
Council are currently negotiating with EnviroNZ over some contract details in order to arrive at a final cost. The final cost for each service will be communicated though the draft Long Term Plan in March 2021.
Western Bay Mayor Garry Webber says proper waste management has become of real concern for communities, councils and the nation and now is the right time to make a change from private contracting service to a Council-contracted service.
On average, each household District-wide produces about 640kg of waste per year and Council identified through a number of studies that 30 percent of refuse being presented in plastic rubbish bags across the District was food waste that could be redirected from landfill. Referred to as the ‘low hanging fruit’ for food system sustainability, removing food waste from landfill not only helps reduce the amount of refuse but lessens the contribution to climate change.
“This is a major change, but we believe it will be better for everyone and the environment to make this change now. There’s growing pressure on all of us to minimise waste to landfill and this service will significantly reduce material going to landfill that could have been recycled. Furthermore, it will avoid our council having to put in place its own landfill in years to come,” explains Mayor Garry.
“We have no choice but to address the District’s dumping of waste to landfill. The new service aims to increase the amount of material diverted from landfill by about 60 percent – around 1800 tonnes a year.”
The actual cost to households for sending refuse to landfill will depend on how often rubbish is put out. With increased opportunities to divert waste from landfill for recycling or composting, households many be able to save money by reducing the number of pick-ups.
The kerbside service is the result of Council consulting with the community as a Long Term Plan Amendment alongside the 2019/20 Annual Plan followed by a procurement process to select the preferred supplier.
All current waste operators offering services within the District were given the opportunity to tender for any of the portions of the contract depending on their skills and expertise. This included bundling of services to suit larger and small service providers.
The costs associated through the targeted rate for urban and rural households will begin in the next financial year from 1 July 2021 when the services will begin.

Freedom campers can no longer park up overnight at Bowentown’s Anzac Bay – under a number of bylaw review changes across the Western Bay of Plenty.
Along with banning freedom camping at Anzac Bay, the Freedom Camping bylaw review also sees a reduced area at Pukehina Beach (Dotterel Point), a reduced freedom camping space at Brighton Reserve. Council has decided not to permit freedom camping at several new reserves at Lund Road, Wairoa Road, Fyfe Road Utilities reserve and Western Ave Utilities reserve until future plans for this land have been developed.
The new bylaw will come into effect from 30 September.
The overnight camping ban at Anzac Bay is backed by 71 per cent public support – across 78 public submissions during consultation – while the majority supported the other freedom camping changes proposed by Council.
In total Council received 145 submissions on its Freedom Camping Bylaw proposals, including online submissions, written responses, verbal feedback received at engagement events and formal hearings.
Mayor Garry Webber says there has been significant public support in Council’s commitment to make the District’s popular coastal areas more pleasant for all holidaymakers.
“We take the public’s concerns and feedback seriously, and these comments directly informed the decision making process for us as a Council.
“The decision to remove Anzac Bay as a freedom camping area also pays respect to the fact that the Anzac Domain is an area of cultural significance.
“Last year Council leased land on Emerton Road in Waihi Beach to the New Zealand Motorhome Association – to provide an area designated for their members to enjoy their stay. This has reduced the level of demand to stay overnight at Anzac Bay.”
Council has also been working with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) to provide amenities such as KiwiCamp and additional security monitoring to ensure freedom campers are abiding by the rules.
Council received $340,000 from MBIE to help manage freedom camping over summer. This has funded the installation of a KiwiCamp facility at Seaforth Road at Bowentown for this summer.
Western Bay of Plenty District Council also approved changes to its Traffic and Parking Enforcement, Animals (excluding dogs), Cemeteries, Public Places and Trading in Public Places bylaws today. All changes will come into effect from Monday 30 September.

Good Morning

I had a laywer that I know and who I had heard was interested in lodging an objection to the Application for the Liquor License to send me something that I could use.

He does work for the “Communities Against Alcohol Harm Inc.” body.

Attached is that document.

If anyone wishes to use it, it will need a few amendments such as name etc.

The objection can be lodged by email to Dougal.Elvin@westernbay.govt.nz

Word document can be downloaded here

Regards

Richard