February 2021 Update
Work is progressing on the planning by TCDC for relocating the current Transfer Station to it’s new location in Moewai Road. The plans being developed by the Mercury Bay office are ambitious and far reaching. They will herald in a new era in the way that our Council manages solid waste and it’s something that we wholeheartedly support. Whitianga Residents and Ratepayers Association has led the setting up of a Charitable Trust which will spearhead this project and manage the facility once it is established. Our Council staff have done a fantastic job on this project so far and should be congratulated. It’s a very exciting new venture.
The Ministry of the Environment has funding available for these projects, money which comes from the waste levy that we pay on our rubbish collection charges. Not only will this relieve the pressure on ratepayers, it starts us towards a longer term goal of reducing the amount of material that goes into landfill, and the huge costs involved in dumping this stuff.
We are extremely fortunate to have Manus Pretorius, General Manager of the Thames Seagull Centre, on our Trust. Manus has significant experience in managing solid waste and recycling programs over many years.
Our new Resource Recovery Centre will be located on the same site as the transfer station. We will aim to capture as much good quality materials as we can before it ends up in the landfill. Based on the Thames and Raglan models, both of which have been operating for many years, we hope to create a number of full-time and part-time jobs for local people, as well as reducing unnecessary waste. Because the Thames Seagull Centre operates at a profit, they are able to contribute significant funds back into the community towards worthy causes. We hope to achieve the same results once it is set up.
We will continue to work with Council on the planning, location and layout of the new centre and keep you posted on progress.
The successful Thames Seagull Centre employs 12 local people full time and regularly contributes excess funds to community groups and causes. Pictured is General Manager, Manus Pretorius.
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