Bin collection change proposed (+ video)

Paper rubbish bags. BNS 15Jul09 - ON THE WAY OUT: Paper rubbish bags.

Any changes to Rotorua's refuse services should first be trialled on a small scale to ensure there is no increased risk to public health, a Toi Te Ora medical officer of health has said.

Neil de Wet made the recommendations yesterday during the second day of hearings into the council's proposed long-term plan.

He echoed concerns expressed in Toi Te Ora's written submission that less frequent refuse collection could potentially lead to pile-ups of decomposing organic waste.

Under the council's proposed draft waste strategy, the current system of weekly paper bag collection would be replaced with fortnightly pickups of wheelie bins.

The Toi Te Ora written submission does express some support for the switch to wheelie bins, on improved sanitation grounds.

But the health board worries that "less frequent collection will allow organic matter to decompose further, increasing the likelihood of odour and attracting flies and cockroaches."

During his submission, Dr de Wet affirmed Toi Te Ora's support for the continued existence of the city's landfill and waste transfer stations.

He also called on the council to introduce a framework for assessing sub-standard housing in the district, with the aim of reducing preventable diseases caused by environmental factors, such as rheumatic fever.

When asked by councillor Charles Sturt whether Toi Te Ora would be prepared to assist with funding an audit of the city's housing, the doctor chose to focus on potential non-financial contributions.

"As an organisation, we can assist with expertise to help identify sub-standard housing," Dr de Wet said.

Councillor Merepeka Raukawa-Tait said she supported in principle the idea of a housing assessment, but was compelled to ask "and then what?"

Following Dr de Wet's presentation, public health remained the topic of discussion with a submission from Lakes Auahi Kore/Smokefree Coalition, presented by Ronda Cleland-Weis, Wayne Rogers and Makere Herbert.

Mrs Herbert and her fellow presenters implored councillors to keep up their commitment to bringing Rotorua smoking rates down, especially among Maori.

"It's not in our whakapapa, it was introduced like everything else," Mr Rogers said.

Submissions will continue today and Monday, and are open to the public.