Ratepayers want cheap, simple plan, says Brewer

A top official's likening of Auckland's draft waste reduction plan to a Ferrari has outraged an Auckland Council member who says ratepayers would prefer a modest V6 Holden.

Councillor Cameron Brewer questioned the need for replacing the household rubbish and recycling system with a system which councillors are to resume debating today.

On the first day of the debate, Mr Brewer asked why the plan's goal of cutting domestic waste by 30 per cent by 2018 could not be achieved without a complete overhaul.

The question was taken by infrastructure and services manager John Dragicevich.

"We could fine-tune and get an extra 10km/h out of the Morris Minor but if we put a Ferrari motor in we would get an extra 100 km/h," he said.

The council is considering a user-pays system for rubbish collections throughout the region in 2015. Wheelie bins would be standard for collecting rubbish and recyclables.

Most councillors supported the goals of the plan, which followed the requirements of the Waste Minimisation Act and the NZ Waste Strategy.

Mr Brewer said he looked forward to the council getting revised details today on costs.

"We don't need a flash Ferrari-type model rubbish system. A V6 Holden would have been fine given these economic times."

His suspicion of a "gold-plated" new system was raised by the council's draft long-term plan showing operating costs going from $84 million a year to $158 million in 10 years.

"So despite user-pays being introduced for household refuse, rest assured the subsidy from general rates will only keep going up," Mr Brewer said.