The Queenstown Lakes District Council will be asked to adopt the 10-Year-Plan on 30 June, without funding for new Council offices.

“This was a key consultation issue in the 10-Year-Plan process and while we did get some support for the building, the majority of submissions that were received on this subject were clear, it is not appropriate to proceed with this project at this time,’ Mr Geddes said.

Instead the Council would continue with ownership of the Gorge Road building and lease options.

“We represent communities that are under pressure. Our view is that regardless of the merits or otherwise of building a new Council office, we do not want to divide the community at a time when we need to work together” Mr Geddes said.

The Councillors present at the hearing deliberations were in accord with the decision.

New Service

The Council has decided to introduce the new organic and residual rubbish services, also consulted on through the 10-Year-Plan.

“We have received wide support from the community over this revised proposal for these services,” Mr Geddes said.

The new services would be subject to a communications campaign and offer an opportunity for the community to be rewarded for keeping rubbish out of the landfill.

“The key change is that the Council will be offering a 120l community-owned wheelie bin for the collection of residual waste. This will be a real incentive for less rubbish to the landfill, which is what this is all about,” Mr Geddes said.

The new wheelie bins would be available from October for $200 per annum and the private contractor had agreed to refund remaining months of bin rental for those who chose to make the switch. The current pre-paid blue bags would still be available.

“If people want to make the change from 1 July they can start utilising the bags in the interim and order the new 120l wheelie bin for spring,” Mr Geddes said.

The new service also rewarded all levels of recyclers.

“It’s a user pays system when it comes to the landfill. If the household creates no residual waste then you are only paying for recycling services,” he said.

If residents could not justify the 120l wheelie bin then they had a choice to use either the half, 30l bag ($2) or a 60l bag ($3).

“The choice is entirely with each household as to the costs they wish to incur for waste collection and disposal. The lowest cost is for those who choose the home treatment of green and kitchen waste” Mr Geddes said.

“There’s a method that will work for every household from Bokashi buckets to worm farms and good old fashioned composting,” Mr Geddes said.

More information on the new service would be available over the next few weeks.

ENDS

For more information please contact Clive Geddes 03 441 0499.

By: Kiri