Here’s a scheme to turn rubbish into power for the people

The significant increase in illegal dumping across Auckland comes as no surprise as the city continues to rapidly grow with houses being squeezed onto every available piece of land with tiny sections, leaving people nowhere to store rubbish and inorganic material. The cost of using privately owned transfer stations can also be prohibitively expensive for many on low incomes being squeezed by rising rents, rates and electricity prices. If Mayor Phil Goff and Auckland Council want to take control of the illegal dumping issue and the risk it puts on the environment and communities, the council should build a modern waste-to-energy plant along with establishing its own free transfer stations across the city to supply it. The electricity produced could be sold to the national grid to help offset the cost of the operation and would help solve two of Auckland’s problems in one go.

Isaac Broome, Pukekohe

Once again NZ First has demonstrated it has a talent for stand-up comedy (Meet your new Government, February 4). Shane Jones’ one-liner that despite his recent marriage the “one thing he would vow not to do” was announce his pregnancy is not bad. At least it raised a chuckle. However, the old master completely trounced his deputy with the best one-liner since the election. Asked the “one thing he will commit to doing while in power”, Winston Peters was quick as a flash in replying “Straight Talk”! Watch out for this duo on The Comedy Show.

Lew Willoughby, Napier

I recently received an Auckland Council rates notice advising me I have paid my rates in full and do not need to make another payment. I was already aware of this so this latest notice is a complete waste of money. This is on top of other wasted money on regular updates on