Council asked for $20,000

Councillor Rob Vinsen

Ratepayers are being asked to put $20,000 towards a domestic hazardous waste depot at the Whanganui Resource Recovery Centre.

The request was made by the Waste Minimisation Working Party during submissions to Whanganui District Council's annual plan hearing.

Hazardous waste includes sprays, cleaners, paint and glues, and a disposal facility had previously been available at the Gilberd St transfer station. It cost council $5000 a year.

But Waste Minimisation Working Party chair Rob Vinsen said Envirowaste no longer wanted to provide the service at the transfer station. The Resource Recovery Centre, however, was prepared to take it on.

"The alternative is 'what happens without this facility?' People tend to pour these chemicals down the stormwater drain, it goes down the river and out to sea and that is exactly what we don't want to be happening," Mr Vinsen said. "This is just continuing on a service that is currently being offered."

Mr Vinsen said it was envisaged there would be a charge to use the facility but not one that would discourage use.