Changes to Waste Services (from 1 JULY 2024)

Background

Council has approved changes to waste services including expanding the kerbside collection area, changing the kerbside collection methodology, and introducing remote transfer stations.

Kerbside collection area expansion

Council is changing the kerbside collection area to include Blenheim, Grovetown, Havelock, Picton, Rarangi, Rai Valley, Renwick, Seddon, Spring Creek, and Tuamarina.

Changes to kerbside collection methodology – wheelie bins

Council is changing how we collect refuse and recycling from the kerbside. These changes include a wheelie bin for refuse serviced fortnightly, a wheelie bin for recycling excluding glass serviced fortnightly and a recycling crate for glass only. Refuse and recycling will be serviced on alternate weeks.

In recognition of the fact that households will produce varying amounts of rubbish and recycling Council has included three wheelie bin set size options based on the following:

Low volume 80 litre $140 annually

Standard volume 140 litre $160 annually

High volume 240 litre $200 annually

The annual cost is based on servicing both wheelie bins and the crate on a fortnightly basis. This annual cost will appear on your rates bill as a targeted rate marked Refuse and Recycling Charge. The annual cost will be updated for inflation prior to the start of the new service on 1 JULY 2024. There is no opt out option for services provided through a targeted rate.

Council has already surveyed the kerbside collection area (up to 18,000 properties) to establish the initial wheelie bin order requirements. The survey responses were:

Low volume 8%

Standard volume 79%

High volume 13%

How do I know if my property is included in the kerbside collection area?

You can check if your property is included in the kerbside collection area by typing your address into the Refuse/Recycling Expansion Areas Smart Map

Go to the Refuse/Recycling Expansion Areas Smart Map

If your property is not shown on the kerbside collection area, then it is not included at this time.

What happens if my household circumstances change between now and 1 JULY 2024?

Council recognises that household circumstances may change, for example, the property is sold, the number of occupants change, properties are sub-divided, etc. Council is developing processes to capture changes in household circumstances that result in an increase or decrease in the amount of rubbish/recycling that you produce. We will provide further information on these processes later in 2023. In the interim please email any queries to mdc@marlborough.govt.nz.

Remote transfer stations

Council will be providing remote transfer stations under the new contract. Remote transfer stations will include 10 x 1100-litre wheelie bins for recycling excluding glass, 10 x 1100 litre wheelie bins for refuse and a skip for colour sorted glass. The locations for the remote transfer stations are still being worked through but provisionally will be Awatere Valley Road (where current recycling bin is), Linkwater (location TBC), Ohingaroa Quarry, Portage, Port Underwood, Rapaura , Titirangi (location TBC), Waihopai, Waitaria Bay (location TBC), and Ward (where current transfer station is).

Current transfer stations

The Ward transfer station will be converted into a remote transfer station.

The Rai Valley transfer station will be upgraded to include a remote transfer station facility.

There will be no changes to the remainder of the current transfer station network.

Current coin skips

The current coin skips located in the Marlborough Sounds will be replaced by remote transfer stations.

Current rural community recycling bins

The rural community recycling bins will be replaced by a combination of the expanded kerbside service and the remote transfer stations.

Community consultation

Council consulted the community on the changes to waste services in November 2022 and held Hearing Panels in December 2022. Hearing Panel recommendations were approved by the Assets and Services committee in January 2023 and approved by full Council on 2 March 2023.