21 September 2021
Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Landfill fees
Enquiry
I understand, through the LTP, prices for disposing of rubbish has gone up. Can the council please tell me, for a story:
What prices at the dump have gone up? What were they before and what are they now? (If the LTP wasn't the cause of this change let me know what was)
What is the rationale for this change?
To what extent did the council consider the issue of fly-tipping and how prices at the dump may affect this?
Have collections at the dump risen since it reopened (Level 3 or Level 2 - let me know which)?
What happens to things disposed of at the dump?
Is a lot of green waste still going into the red-top bins?
What progression has the council made on creating a green waste collection to date?
What other fees and charges (besides from waste management) rose from the LTP? What was the rationale for these rises?
I also have some comments from someone who went to the dump recently and was dissatisfied with the prices - these are supplied for the council to respond to if it wishes.
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COMMENTS
Tracey McLeod:
There's a saying, "One man's trash is another man's treasure".
However in Rotorua, it's a different story. A trip to the dump managed by Waste Management meant "Disposing of trash will cost you a treasure".
On 6th September a person dumping rubbish exclaimed, "Have you put your prices up again?""Yes" was the response, along with an explanation about blaming the government with road taxincreases and the impending tax policy associated with electric vehicles.
If we thought fly tipping was a problem before, then it will only get worse hereon in. $128 for a single axle trailer is outrageous, considering we have only just paid the first rates instalment on 20th August 2021 at an exorbitant increase.
People don't have money to burn, but it would be more cost effective to burn your rubbish, whatever the cost to the environment.
Rotorua was known as a beautiful city with its awards. Why spend millions trying to beautify it, when it's being "trashed" by government policy. Time to clean up its act
Response
The following information and comment was provided:
On receipt of the enquiry Council provided the link to anews item on Council’s website, dated 25 June 2021, which outlined landfill fee changes which came into effect 1 July.
The reporter was subsequently also provided with the following information:
General refuse | January 2019 to 30 June 2021 | From 1 July 2021 |
Car /Station Wagon | $18.00 | $21.00 |
Single Axle trailer/Van/Ute (up to 250 kg) | $45.00 (Over 250kgs – tonne rate applies) | $52.00 (Over 250kgs – tonne rate applies) |
General truck – per tonne | $178.00 (Minimum charge of $45.00) | $207.60 (Minimum charge $52.00) |
Whiteware – per item | $10.00 | $10.00 |
Green waste/wood waste | ||
Car/station wagon | $10.00 | $10.00 |
Single axle trailer/Van/ute | $17.00 (Over 350kgs – tonne rate applies) | $18.00 (Over 350kgs – tonne rate applies) |
General truck – per tonne | $48.00 (Minimum charge of $17.00) | $50.00 (Minimum charge of $18.00) |
Concrete | ||
All vehicles to be weighed – per tonne | $48.00 (Minimum charge of $10.00) | $50.00 (Minimum charge of $10.00) |
Test Weigh only | ||
All vehicles | $15.00 | $15.00 |
The following can be attributed to Stavros Michael – DCE Infrastructure & Environment:
The latest changes to fees for the Rotorua Landfill Refuse Transfer Station took effect from 1 July 2021.
Central government regulations increased the waste disposal levy and cost of carbon emissions which impacted local landfill and refuse transfer station fees around the country.
The Ministry for the Environment changed the national waste disposal levy by +$10 per tonne of waste.
Changes made by the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment has resulted in an increase in the cost of carbon credits in the Emission Trading Scheme, by +$11.20 per tonne in waste disposal costs.
For Rotorua, there was also a change to operational costs (based on waste industry Consumer Price Index) and Council’s operator, Waste Management NZ, changed waste disposal fees to reflect and cover the increase in the operational costs.The change in Rotorua Landfill Refuse Transfer Station operational costs is linked to inflation and the rising costs of man-power, transport and other operating costs required to run and maintain the refuse transfer station.
The Rotorua Landfill Refuse Transfer Station gate fee increased by +$4.12 per tonne on 1 July 2021 to cover the increase in operational costs.
What other fees and charges (besides from waste management) rose from the LTP? What was the rationale for these rises?
As above, changes to waste management fees are not a result of the 2021 – 2031 Long-Term Plan.
To what extent did the council consider the issue of fly-tipping and how prices at the dump may affect this?
For your information: You can read the considerations by the Ministry for Environment in this consultation document: https://environment.govt.nz/assets/Publications/Files/reducing-waste-a-more-effective-landfill-levy-consultation-document.pdf
These changes in Emission trading scheme tax and national waste disposal levy came from Central Government and impacted Councils all over NZ.
If it were free to dispose rubbish at the landfill refuse transfer station or if the gate rates were not increased to include the new taxes or increase in operating costs, Council would still need to cover the increase in costs. The cost of the service would fall only on ratepayers versus the current user-pays system.
A free landfill could cost ratepayers more than $2.5 million per year. This would be significantly more than the actual cost of cleaning up illegal dumping each year which is estimated to be around $100,000.
Unfortunately, regardless of price, there are always people who will choose to not do the right thing.
Have collections at the dump risen since it reopened (Level 3 or Level 2 - let me know which)?
We do not have this data available yet. However, we expect that a higher tonnage of waste was disposed of at the Rotorua Landfill during Alert Level 3 as many households used Alert Level 4 as a chance to clear out their properties.
What happens to things disposed of at the dump?
For your information: Although it is more commonly known by the public as the ‘Rotorua Landfill’ or ‘dump’, it is technically a ‘Landfill Refuse Transfer station’.
Items that are taken to the Rotorua Landfill Refuse Transfer Station are transported to, and disposed of, in the Tirohia landfill operated by Waste Management.
Is a lot of green waste still going into the red-top bins?
In the SWAP bin audit undertaken in December 2020, there was an average of 56% organic waste in rubbish bins (including grass, foliage, food and other organic items).
This shows that more than half of the waste in an average kerbside rubbish bin could be diverted from landfill, via home composting or an organic/green waste collection.
What progression has the council made on creating a green waste collection to date?
Council is currently preparing for public consultation on diversion of food and green organics early next year.
Re Tracey McLeod comments:
The rate for a single axle trailer (up to 250 kg), is $52.00. Over 250kgs, the tonne rate of $207.60 applies.
If Tracey thinks she has been charged incorrectly, she should contact Council with her receipt and we will be happy to help.
“Landfills are subjected to two types of taxation by Central Government Policy – a Waste Disposal levy, and the Emissions Trading Scheme that was introduced to offset greenhouse gas emissions from waste disposed in landfills through the purchase of carbon credits. The Government’s Policy rationale is that the increase in landfill waste disposal costs encourages users to reduce the amount of waste they produce or divert more waste to recycling.
“This is an opportunity for the public to look at ways to minimise the waste they produce and to reduce their need for landfill visits.”
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: World Car Free Day
Enquiry
I've just realised that on Wednesday it's World Car Free Day, is anything happening for it this year we could go along to?
When advised there were no events planned reporter asked: Could you provide comment around what the day is all about, why Rotorua is a great place for sustainable journeys, in what ways people can do their part etc
Response
Please attribute the following to Rachel Doelman, Sustainable Journeys Coordinator:
What is World Car-free Day all about?
World Car-free Day is all about ditching the car and choosing a more sustainable mode of transport for one day. New Zealand’s second biggest contributor to CO2 emissions is from vehicles, so if everyone makes a small change where they can, it will benefit everyone. The first official World Car-free Day took place in 2000. In the past, many large cities around the world such as Bogota and Jakarta have completely closed off their main streets for the day and filled them with cycling and walking activities instead. In 2019, London closed off 25km of roads to vehicles on World Car-free Day.
Why is Rotorua a great place for sustainable journeys?
Rotorua has a mild climate, it is not too spread out, and we have a growing shared path network that is suitable for novice to experienced cyclists and for safe and comfortable walking, skating or scooting. Biking and walking are great for your physical and mental health and a cheaper option than driving.
How can people can do their part for WCD?
Walk, bike or catch the bus instead of driving your car. If you already do this, why not encourage a colleague, friend or whānau member to give it a go? They might even enjoy it and make it a regular thing!
Post and pic and go in the draw to win!
The Rotorua Lakes Council Safe and Sustainable Journeys Team has an $80 Evo Cycles voucher up for grabs. Just take a photo of you taking part in World Car-free Day, post it to the Safe and Sustainable Journeys Facebook page, and you’re in the draw!