By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter
funded by New Zealand on Air
Auckland Council plans to shift towards fortnightly rubbish removal but some councillors remain sceptical.
At the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee on November 30, council’s draft Waste Management and Minimisation Plan 2024 was approved for public consultation.
The draft plan suggests a shift away from weekly rubbish collection towards fortnightly after food scrap bins are fully established.
Cr Daniel Newman, who has been a vocal opponent to the shift, encouraged Aucklanders to submit when public consultation opens.
“I continue to be unsure as to whether a move to fortnightly will necessarily be successful. It’s still up to the officers to prove that,” Newman said.
Originally, council had proposed a user pay system with barcodes on bins however this was unsuccessful. Newman has spoken favourably of user pay systems as he feels it gives Aucklanders choice.
He asked how much council would save by reducing rubbish collections.
Waste Solutions general manager Parul Sood said the switch would see a $10 million saving but not for council.
“We provide services under a targeted rate system model so the savings would be to the ratepayer,” Sood said.
Newman wanted to know how much the $10 million averaged out for a single household however Sood was unable to answer.
Consultation will open in 2024 alongside council’s Long-Term Plan. The draft waste plan is up for adoption at the end of next year.
