Haumoana, Te Awanga, Clive and Havelock North people have won a battle to keep their beloved Blackbridge transfer station open.
Public pressure had a hand in forcing the Hastings District Council to retain the former dump, after it was earmarked for closure in 2009 because of costs, falling patronage and revenue.
This
week the council said it had entered into a new private contract with Phoenix Contracting to run the Blackbridge transfer station, which is on Mill Rd between Clive and Haumoana.
Current charges remain in force until July 1 and will be reviewed by the council in line with price changes at the Omarunui Landfill.
Last year the possible closure of the transfer station became a major issue and a petition was circulated to lobby the council to keep it open.
A Clive community committee invited the council and its staff to a public meeting where people asked Mayor Lawrence Yule and his chief executive Ross McLeod to keep the station open.
Residents were worried they would have to travel through Hastings city with their rubbish to use the alternative Henderson Rd transfer station if Blackbridge closed. Some Havelock North people also said they used Blackbridge because it was easier to drive to, rather than travelling through Hastings.
Mr Yule said the contract was let to a private firm on the basis existing refuse disposal services to the community will continue, including charges and operating hours. Additional services are likely including acceptance of a wider range of refuse types.
"It's fantastic a resolution has been found that will not only serve the local community but save ratepayers at large over the long term," he said.
"This is a partnership between the council and the private sector that will mean the facility will run on a business model, while still providing a service to the community and reducing the volume of material going to landfill."
Heretaunga ward councillor Rod Heaps, who lives at Te Awanga and had lobbied to keep the transfer station open, said he was pleased.
