Refuse bags to stay for another year

People living in in Zone one including Westport, Reefton, and surrounding areas, will continue to dispose of their rubbish using pre-paid rubbish bags until mid-2027.

Buller District Council intended to change the way rubbish is managed in Refuse Zone one by 1 July 2026, replacing rubbish bags with wheelie bins, paid for through a targeted rate.

This change will align with the start of Zone one's new 10-year waste management contract. The contract includes running waste and recycling services and facilities in Zone one, collecting kerbside rubbish and recycling, operating the Westport and Reefton Transfer Stations, and emptying public litter bins in urban areas.

Group Manager Infrastructure Services Anthony Blom says: “In August 2025, after deciding on a council-provided wheelie bin collection service paid through a targeted rate, we went back to waste management suppliers through a selective tender process.”

“After reviewing the proposals, we established that we needed to understand in more depth how the community would take up the proposed refuse wheelie bin service.”

In April 2025, councillors decided to introduce refuse wheelie bins in Zone one, to be paid for through a targeted rate. Property owners would have the choice between an 80 L,120 L, or 240 L wheelie bin. Alternatively, property owners could opt out of kerbside rubbish collection altogether.

Mr Blom explains: “The option to opt out, and the different bin sizes at different price points give people the ability to tailor the service to their needs. However, it adds complexity to estimating how much income the new system will generate.”

Knowing the total amount of rubbish to be collected through the service is vital for approximating the targeted rate for each bin size that is charged to each user.”

Mr Blom outlines: “To further our contract clarification, we need more details and have therefore decided to delay the implementation of wheelie bins by 12 months. This will give us enough time to negotiate firm contract terms and will allow sufficient lead time to roll out the wheelie bins.”

Council is in discussion with the current waste management contract holder, Smart Environmental Ltd, to extend the existing contract by 12 months.

The Buller District is divided into three zones for recycling and refuse. Zone one covers Westport, the areas from Westport to the Mōkihinui Bridge, from Westport to Punakaiki, from Westport to Reefton (including Blacks Point), and from Reefton to Ikamatua.

Zone two covers the Karamea area north of the Mokihinui Bridge and Zone three is beyond Blacks Point, including Springs Junction and Maruia. These areas are not affected by the change, as they have no kerbside collection.

Disclaimer
The information in this media release was correct at the time of publication. Changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact the accuracy of the information.