Latest news with #WasteMinimisationAct2008
Scoop
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Hawke's Bay Council Look To Change Litter Act To Crackdown On Fly-Tipping
If a letter with your name on it is found in a pile of rubbish left on the roadside, be prepared for a visit from your local council. Proposed changes to the Litter Act would allow councils to ping fly-tippers long after they have fouled roadsides and private land and caused environmental harm. Large piles of dumped rubbish cost councils around Hawke's Bay thousands of dollars a year to dispose of. Hastings District councillor Wendy Schollum said as the law stood, even when a name and address were found, councils' hands are tied. "Even CCTV footage is not enough," Schollum said. "The dumper has to be caught in the act before we can do anything." That's almost impossible when the fly-tippers use isolated roads or the cover of dark to dump their trash. Schollum said councils were working under a law written in the 1970s, long before the explosion of fast food packaging and the rise in illegal dumping. Under the proposals to amend the Waste Minimisation Act 2008 (WMA) and Litter Act 1979 (the Litter Act), litter control officers would be able to issue fines using vehicle registration and ownership details inside rubbish bags to identify dumpers. Councils would also be able to recover clean-up costs from the offender if the dumped rubbish caused significant environmental harm. There would be tiered penalties based on the seriousness of the offence and compensation associated with the costs of removing litter. Schollum said she imagined the council would have a warning system for different degrees of littering. "We won't be turning up at your door waving a big stick. We will need reasonable evidence before taking any action. "Someone throwing rubbish out the car window will not be treated the same as repeat offenders who don't care that ratepayers have to pick up the bill for their actions." Schollum said Hastings had more than 5200km of roads, and many of the worst-hit areas were on NZTA-managed land where the council wasn't allowed to clean up. "What's more, roadside safety rules also block many community-led clean-ups. Which means rubbish builds up, public pride takes a hit, and ratepayers keep footing the bill for the limited clean-up we can legally do," she said. A spokesperson for the Ministry for the Environment said the government was progressing changes to make waste legislation more effective, clear and consistent. The changes would replace the Waste Minimisation Act 2008 and the Litter Act 1979, aiming to reduce inefficiencies and clarify the roles of central and local government and the waste sector. "The proposals are based on building on and improving existing legislation, to ensure it is fit for purpose," the spokesperson said. Schollum said the proposed amendments were important. "This is exactly the kind of smart, enforceable change our communities need." Consultations on the proposals closed on 1 June. The ministry spokesperson said feedback from the consultation would help inform further policy work and the drafting process it would undertake with the Parliamentary Counsel Office.
1News
16 hours ago
- 1News
Fly tipping: Name on a letter in pile of roadside rubbish? Be ready for a fine
If a letter with your name on it is found in a pile of rubbish left on the roadside, be prepared for a visit from your local council. Proposed changes to the Litter Act would allow councils to ping fly-tippers long after they have fouled roadsides and private land and caused environmental harm. Large piles of dumped rubbish cost councils around Hawke's Bay thousands of dollars a year to dispose of. But Hastings District councillor Wendy Schollum said, as the law stands, even when a name and address are found, councils' hands are tied. 'Even CCTV footage is not enough,' Schollum said. ADVERTISEMENT 'The dumper has to be caught in the act before we can do anything.' Cold coming, PM's press secretary scandal, science of sleep (Source: 1News) That's almost impossible when the fly-tippers use isolated roads or the cover of dark to dump their trash. Schollum said councils were working under a law written in the 1970s, long before the explosion of fast food packaging and the rise in illegal dumping. Under the proposed Responsibility for Reducing Waste Act, litter control officers would be able to issue fines using vehicle registration and ownership details inside rubbish bags to identify dumpers. Councils would also be compensated by the offender if the dumped rubbish caused significant environmental harm. Rubbish dumped on the Hawke's Bay Expressway near Kennedy Rd. (Source: Local Democracy Reporting) ADVERTISEMENT There would be tiered penalties based on the seriousness of the offence and compensation associated with the costs of removing litter. Schollum said she imagined the council would have a warning system for different degrees of littering. 'We won't be turning up at your door waving a big stick. We will need reasonable evidence before taking any action. 'Someone throwing rubbish out the car window will not be treated the same as repeat offenders who don't care that ratepayers have to pick up the bill for their actions.' Schollum said Hastings had more than 5200km of roads, and many of the worst-hit areas were on NZTA-managed land where the council wasn't allowed to clean up. 'What's more, roadside safety rules also block many community-led clean-ups. Which means rubbish builds up, public pride takes a hit, and ratepayers keep footing the bill for the limited clean-up we can legally do,' she said. A spokesperson for the Ministry for the Environment (MfE) said the Government is progressing changes to make waste legislation more effective, clear and consistent. ADVERTISEMENT The changes would replace the Waste Minimisation Act 2008 and the Litter Act 1979, aiming to reduce inefficiencies and clarify the roles of central and local government and the waste sector. 'The proposals are based on building on and improving existing legislation, to ensure it is fit for purpose,' the spokesperson said. Schollum said the proposed Responsibility for Reducing Waste Act was important. 'This is exactly the kind of smart, enforceable change our communities need.' Consultations on the proposals closed on June 1. The MfE spokesperson said feedback from the consultation will help inform further policy work and the drafting process it will undertake with the Parliamentary Counsel Office. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Amendments discussed
Changes are coming for the way the country handles waste, but will the potential changes leave smaller councils in a tough spot? Central government is asking councils for feedback regarding proposed amendments to the Waste Minimisation Act 2008 and the Litter Act 1979. These amendments would cover changes to the way the water levy is allocated to territorial authorities and what they can spend money on, clarification of roles, improved tools for compliance and other controls for littering and other waste. WasteNet Southland, a joint initiative between Southland District Council, Gore District Council and Invercargill City Council, compiled a list of submissions put forth to the Gore assets and infrastructure meeting last night. The submission was noted as generally supportive of the proposed amendments. However, it asked for a few changes — for example, an adjustment of the method of allocation in funds for the Waste Levy, to account for and reduce discrepancy between councils. Cr Hovell put his hand up in support, stating traditionally the 50% the government had taken, it had put back in to the waste sector. Discussion between councillors ensued. Cr Hovell explained the 50% was similar to recycling schemes, where businesses could apply for funds when applicable due to the minimisation of waste. Cr Hovell also mentioned the importance of a local voice being heard in Wellington, and said there was a distinct way Southland did things. "I think it's important to reinforce to government we do things slightly different here and that needs to be recognised," he said. Cr Fraser seconded this, and said it was important to be vocal despite being a minority compared to larger councils. "When you're fighting numbers, we need to be quite the best we can be," he said. Cr Phillips put a recommendation WasteNet speak to its submissions, which was seconded by Cr Fraser, and the call to approve the submission was carried unanimously.
Scoop
6 days ago
- General
- Scoop
Have Your Say On The District's Proposed Waste Management And Minimisation Plan 2025
Press Release – Queenstown Lakes District Council Although legislation requires Council to write the WMMP, the plan will only be successful if everyone in our community works together to make it happen. Together Towards Zero Waste And A Circular Economy Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) has today released its draft Waste Management and Minimisation Plan (WMMP) and is asking the community to have its say during the public consultation from today until 30 June, with the ambitious goal of creating a waste-free future for our district. After being adopted for consultation by Council yesterday, the draft WMMP outlines a bold vision to move together towards zero waste and a circular economy. The plan focuses on an approach that avoids waste altogether by changing our behaviours, or manages waste and used materials better with the right tools, services, and facilities. As part of developing the draft, QLDC hosted stakeholder workshops and a public webinar in September 2024. Input from these sessions helped shape the priorities and actions outlined in the plan. 'We've worked with key groups in our community to shape a new direction for how we respond to the waste challenges in our district. Council has an important part to play in leading this work, but minimising our waste will require our community to work together, collaborating on opportunities and making change happen,' said Cllr Gavin Bartlett, QLDC Infrastructure Committee Chair and member of the waste working group. Although legislation requires Council to write the WMMP, the plan will only be successful if everyone in our community works together to make it happen. 'Changing the story of how our district's waste is minimised or managed relies on working together on innovative but achievable solutions. This WMMP is a draft, and we invite everyone to provide feedback on whether you think these are the right actions to take, together,' said Sophie Mander, QLDC Strategy Planning Manager (Waste Minimisation). The plan is updated every six years under the Waste Minimisation Act 2008 and outlines how the district will manage and reduce waste. Since the 2018 plan was adopted, progress has included a new three-bin kerbside collection service, boosted public education, introduced community composting hubs and the annual Waste Minimisation Community Fund, and furthered a commitment to a future kerbside organics collection. Partnerships with local organisations including Wastebusters, Sustainable Queenstown, and Wao have also been key to helping reduce waste. 'Progress has been made, but there's still a long way to go,' said Sophie. 'This is a crucial opportunity for the community to help us define the next chapter.' Community members can explore the plan and contribute further via an online engagement platform. Various public engagement opportunities will also be held over June.
Scoop
7 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Have Your Say On The District's Proposed Waste Management And Minimisation Plan 2025
Together Towards Zero Waste And A Circular Economy Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) has today released its draft Waste Management and Minimisation Plan (WMMP) and is asking the community to have its say during the public consultation from today until 30 June, with the ambitious goal of creating a waste-free future for our district. After being adopted for consultation by Council yesterday, the draft WMMP outlines a bold vision to move together towards zero waste and a circular economy. The plan focuses on an approach that avoids waste altogether by changing our behaviours, or manages waste and used materials better with the right tools, services, and facilities. As part of developing the draft, QLDC hosted stakeholder workshops and a public webinar in September 2024. Input from these sessions helped shape the priorities and actions outlined in the plan. 'We've worked with key groups in our community to shape a new direction for how we respond to the waste challenges in our district. Council has an important part to play in leading this work, but minimising our waste will require our community to work together, collaborating on opportunities and making change happen," said Cllr Gavin Bartlett, QLDC Infrastructure Committee Chair and member of the waste working group. Although legislation requires Council to write the WMMP, the plan will only be successful if everyone in our community works together to make it happen. 'Changing the story of how our district's waste is minimised or managed relies on working together on innovative but achievable solutions. This WMMP is a draft, and we invite everyone to provide feedback on whether you think these are the right actions to take, together,' said Sophie Mander, QLDC Strategy Planning Manager (Waste Minimisation). The plan is updated every six years under the Waste Minimisation Act 2008 and outlines how the district will manage and reduce waste. Since the 2018 plan was adopted, progress has included a new three-bin kerbside collection service, boosted public education, introduced community composting hubs and the annual Waste Minimisation Community Fund, and furthered a commitment to a future kerbside organics collection. Partnerships with local organisations including Wastebusters, Sustainable Queenstown, and Wao have also been key to helping reduce waste. 'Progress has been made, but there's still a long way to go,' said Sophie. 'This is a crucial opportunity for the community to help us define the next chapter.' Community members can explore the plan and contribute further via an online engagement platform. Various public engagement opportunities will also be held over June.
