To collect, or not to collect

The community of Pukekawa and parts of the Onewhero area will be deciding the nature of its refuse and recycling service this month.

Waikato District Council has sent letters to residents in Pukekawa and parts of the Onewhero area asking them what service they would prefer when it comes to all things rubbish.

The resident have been given options to chose from:

A weekly kerbside pre-paid stickered bag refuse collection, including a weekly two-crate recycling collection and an annual inorganic refuse pick-up, funded by a targeted rate of $131.50 per dwelling;

A monthly drop-off service of recyclable materials only. This would be collected from Pukekawa Hall, Clark and Denize Rd and funded by a targeted rate of $40.24 per dwelling, or no service provided at all. No service provided.

The option that receives the majority of support will be the service provided to Pukekawa and the surrounding area.

The council has consulted with the community twice prior, once in 2014 and again in 2015, to find out if they wanted a weekly refuse and recycling collection. Both times there was no sufficient support to offer the service.

But since 2015, Envirowaste has closed its recycling drop-off service in Pukekohe and attempts to find a suitable drop-off centre in Tuakau this year have so far been unsuccessful.

Waikato District Council general manager service delivery, Tim Harty said: ‘‘The search for a

‘‘‘Considering this, and the fact that people in Pukekawa and parts of Onewhero cannot drop off recycling in Pukekohe any more, it is an opportune time to go out with one more consultation round on this issue.’’

recycling drop-off centre in Tuakau has proved problematic and is on hold until funding is secured through the Long Term Plan process.

‘‘Considering this, and the fact that people in Pukekawa and parts of Onewhero cannot drop off recycling in Pukekohe any more, it is an opportune time to go out with one more consultation round on this issue.’’

Residents who have received a letter from the council have until June 2 to provide their feedback and, as part of the consultation process, an information drop-in session will be held at Pukekawa Hall on Thursday, May 18 from 4pm7.30pm.

‘‘The option with the majority of responses will be the option that goes ahead,’’ said Harty.