Anger mounts as rubbish tip hours slashed

ONE MAN'S TRASH: Worker Graeme Retallick at Ngunguru's Refuse and Recycling Station, where hours are roughly half what they once were. PHOTO/JOHN STONE

A rubbish schedule ... or a worthwhile attempt to cut costs?

Hours at the district council's eight transfer stations have been cut in half from what they were six months ago, saving an estimated $168,000 a year. But some say the move will backfire and result in an increase in illegal dumping.

The new hours come into force on November 16 and are marginally more generous than reduced trial hours which have been in place since February, when opening times were slashed from 66.5 hours per station per week to just 29.

Whangarei District Council's planning committee resolved this week that, following a community backlash, stations would open for a collective 261 hours in summer and 217 in winter, with popular holiday spots at Uretiti, Ngunguru, Parua Bay and Oakura having slightly longer hours.

Gloria Bruni of Tutukaka Coast Ratepayers and Residents Association said there had been a noticeable increase in fly-tipping on the main road into Ngunguru, where the station had been closed three days a week.

"There's been considerable dissatisfaction with the reduced hours. I have personally observed quite a prodigious dumping of bags, mattresses and God knows what when the gates are closed," she said.

Councillor Shelley Deeming said the hours were a "kick in the guts for rural ratepayers" and would affect residents, schools, tourists and businesses, particularly those who relied on being able to dispose of green waste at the end of a working day. "I have been at several ratepayer association meetings and, man, they are steaming," Ms Deeming said.

She moved that a reconsideration of the new hours be undertaken if there were too many complaints.

Steven Goldthorpe of Waipu Residents and Ratepayers Association said the opening hours were a confusing mish-mash of days and times.

In Mr Goldthorpe's area, the Uretiti tip had the most generous hours of all eight dumps and would be open in the summer from 10am-5pm, Friday-Monday, and 8.30am-1.30pm, Tuesday to Thursday. Then in winter it would close on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and open Monday morning and most of the day on Thursday and the weekends.

"It's pretty difficult for users to get their heads around," Mr Goldthorpe said, adding that high disposal charges compounded the problem.

During its annual planning process, the district council sought to reduce operational costs, identifying the rubbish tips as having cost-cutting potential. Deputy Mayor Sharon Morgan questioned whether the $168,000 saving would be offset clearing up after frustrated fly-tippers.

The ReSort centre on Kioreroa Rd's operating hours were not included in the review. It is operated by a separate body.