Committee takes charge of rubbish

A new committee to oversee waste management issues in Taranaki has been formed.

The Taranaki solid waste management committee comprises members from the Taranaki Regional Council, and the New Plymouth, Stratford, and South Taranaki district councils.

The committee succeeds the regional solid waste disposal working party, formed by the three district councils in 2006 to deal with the use of Colson Rd landfill in New Plymouth as a regional landfill, and to secure the Eltham landfill on Rotokare Rd.

Unlike its predecessor, the committee has the authority to manage finances, commission projects and use Government waste minimisation levies.

Under current legislation, the councils pay $10 per tonne of rubbish each puts in the landfill, receiving about half back from the Government for waste minimisation projects.

TRC director of environment quality Gary Bedford said the committee would work on the development of a regional waste strategy, and for a better chance of securing contestable funding from the Government by applying as one region.

"We recognise the benefits of helping each other ... rather than fight against each other [for funding], which seems to happen in other parts of the country."

TRC's Neil Walker was appointed chairman.

"We know that waste management is going to be one of the most important things for Taranaki in regard to local government," he said.

- © Fairfax NZ News