Devonport's transfer station faces closure. But one man is fighting for our right to recycle. Debrin Foxcroft reports
It was the little city that could. Three decades ago Devonport's council was the first in New Zealand to introduce recycling when it built a transfer station on Lake Rd. Since then, recycling has become the norm across the country, but now the future of this groundbreaking inorganic rubbish sorting centre is uncertain.
In 1977, Richard Tong was one of the driving forces behind the recycling scheme and the transfer station. He describes the efforts as a reflection of Devonport's independent spirit and can-do attitude.
``The transfer station is important because it feeds into the whole idea of being as independent as we can be,' he says.
That independence meant Devon port Borough Council was the pioneer ahead of the rest of the country.
``In 1976, the Auckland Regional Council, then called Auckland Regional Authority, had just taken over the refuse of the region, before the councils buggered it up,' says Mr Tong. ``The authority wrote to the 20 or so councils and asked if they could find a small site for a refuse station. Devonport council was the only coun cil who responded.'
But, now, there are rumblings of change. North Shore City Council is considering the future of the station.
``The review is necessary in the light of environmental requirements set by the Auckland Regional Council,' says a council spokesperson. ``The requirements include better manage ment of emissions to air, drainage and noise, along with other environmental issues.'
Infrastructure and environment committee chairman Ken McKay says Auckland Regional Council has brought in stricter emission standards.
``In order to bring the transfer station to standard, it is going to cost a lot of money and the operator hasn't committed to spending that kind of money,' he says.
However, the regional council says it has not introduced any new environ mental regulations and it hasn't approached the council about emissions.
Mr Tong believes the issue of emissions is all smoke and mirrors.
``The cornerstone of the issue is what the council wants to do with the land,' he says. ``But the Devonport council was careful. If that land isn't used for the transfer station, then it has to become a reserve. It's a Recreation 2 zone. To make any changes, it would need to get a sign-off from the Conservation Minister.'
Dr Tong warns any efforts to kill the transfer station ``will turn into a legal battle'.
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