Draft West Coast Regional Waste Management and Minimisation Plan

Buller District Council considered submissions to the Draft West Coast Regional Waste Management and Minimisation Plan (WMMP) 2024 – 2030 at this week’s council meeting. In Buller, 30 submissions were received, with 25 submitted online, and five received in hard copy. Three submitters spoke in support of their submissions at the council meeting.

Key findings from the submissions were:

• 65% of the submitters agreed with the proposed vision of the Draft West Coast Regional WMMP.
• 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 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.
• Regarding the best channels to inform residents about waste management, submitters preferred to receive information from direct channels, like email newsletters and information included with their rates notices. Social media posts, posters in public spaces, and articles in local and regional newspapers are also favoured ways to communicate.
• Regarding the development of policies, 46% of respondents think that a waste and resource recovery grant is the most important policy for improving waste minimisation.
• Submitters selected soft plastic packaging recycling, battery recycling, electrical products and refrigerants as the product stewardship schemes that they would use the most.
• The submitters’ preferred approach for keeping waste out of landfills was to investigate alternatives to manage waste streams that contribute large volumes to landfills, such as organic waste. Recycling Recovery Schemes were also chosen as one of the most encouraging ways to keep waste out of landfill. Submitters expressed that they would like council’s waste facilities to have a reuse shop that diverts products from landfill.
• With regards to the importance of establishing a regional landfill that could serve the entire region, 51% of the respondents consider it to be either essential and/or very important, whereas 48% of the respondents consider it of little importance and/or not important at all.

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.”

After discussing the submissions, council recommended that no changes were made to the West Coast Regional WMMP.

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 the next two months.

Notes to the reader:

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

The Draft West Coast Regional Waste Management and Minimisation Plan 2024-2030 (WMMP) 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.

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.

Westland, Grey, and Buller District Council are seeking the community's feedback on the draft West Coast Regional Waste Management and Minimisation Plan 2024 – 2030.

Together, the three district councils, Westland, Grey, and Buller District Council, have developed the new West Coast Regional 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.

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.

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.

Councillors made several decisions yesterday regarding the future of the Regional Waste Minimisation and Management Plan.

The Waste Minimisation Management Plan (WMMP) is the guiding document for promoting waste management and minimisation within a district or region.

Group Manager Infrastructure Services Michael Aitken explains: “The existing West Coast Regional WMMP was developed in 2018 in partnership with Westland and Grey District Council and we have to review it every six years.”

At their meeting yesterday, councillors endorsed working again with the neighbouring West Coast Councils to develop a regional 2024 – 2030 WMMP. Central government encourages this approach.

Mr Aitken outlines: “There are many challenges and opportunities connected with waste management in rural regions and having a West Coast approach will avoid duplication, identify regional opportunities for waste management, develop regional waste infrastructure, and boost economies of scale.”

In preparation for the WMMP update, the three councils have undertaken a West Coast Regional Waste Assessment 2024 that describes the current situation regarding waste in the region. The council also adopted this assessment and its findings in yesterday's meeting.

The assessment outlines relevant legislation, policies, and central government activities that the WMMP must consider.

In line with the Waste Minimisation Act 2008, the Medical Officer of Health was consulted and invited to provide feedback on the West Coast Regional Waste Assessment 2024.

Mr Aitken highlights: “Based on the information gathered in the Waste Assessment, the feedback from the Medical Officer of Health, and the guidance from our Councillors, council staff will now prepare a draft regional Waste Minimisation and Management Plan 2024-2030 over the coming three months.”

The WMMP will align with the 2023 Te rautaki para - National Waste Strategy as the Waste Management Act 2008 requires.

The West Coast community will be invited to give feedback on the draft during a consultation scheduled for late 2024. After hearings and deliberations in early 2025, the final WMMP 2024-2030 will be adopted by March 2025.