|
Resolution
number DT/2020/169
MOVED by Chairperson A Bennett, seconded by Member T
Deans:
That
the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board:
a) Provide
the following feedback on the Resource Recovery Strategy update:
i) strongly
supports the Resource Recovery Network Strategy Refresh, including the intent
to build more Community Recycling Centers and note that this strategy aligns
with the Waste Management and Minimisation Plan 2018 (WMMP), Te
Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland's Climate Plan and our own draft
Local Board Plan 2020.
ii) strongly
supports additional funding to the Devonport Community Recycling center,
along with the other existing network of Centers to ensure they are able to
maximise their potential to divert waste to recovered resource, and to be
effective, self-sustaining social enterprises, noting that this initial goal
from the 2014 RRS has not yet been met.
iii) suggests
the key goal of the Resource Recovery Network Strategy Refresh should be on
resource recovery and waste diversion, rather than simply recycling, for the
following reasons:
A) that the recovery of resources
is an activity that will enable Auckland Council to make progress towards its
aspirations of being ‘Zero Waste by 2040’ and ‘Net Zero
Emissions by 2050.’ Resource recovery centres are an operational tool
for achieving this.
B) that recycling alone will not
achieve the Auckland Council vision of a circular economy and a reduction of
landfill use. The Devonport-Takapuna Local Board note that recycling is a
supply-chain option only. We have seen that markets that receive recycling
are vulnerable to price pressures, stricter product contamination guidelines
and questions over their environmental credentials.
C) the
Devonport-Takapuna Local Board is concerned that the current Resource
Recovery Network Strategy Refresh is focussed on the delivery of a fixed
number of Community Recycling Centres where landfill levies collected go
towards meeting the operating costs of each centre, rather than targeting
funding to recover a maximum quantity of waste from the waste stream
D) note that the existing
Devonport Community Recycling Centre requires greater levels of funding and
partnership between the operator and Auckland Council to ensure it is
recovering the maximum quantity of resource from the community it serves, and
is a lively community hub for waste education and volunteering, as the
strategy envisions.
iv) notes
that not all communities have the same waste profile. A Community Recycling
Centre in one part of Auckland may divert more resources, or more valuable or
reusable resources, from the waste stream than another similar center in a
different part of Auckland due to their specific community, or the size of
their facility and therefore recommends that the funding received by each CRC
reflect these differences.
v) notes
that the location of Community Recycling Centers is a key part of this
strategy that is not highlighted adequately. Centers needs to be of
sufficient size and strategic location to achieve success, and attention must
be placed on how well the centers are networked together throughout
Auckland’s regions to ensure every household and businesses is provided
equal access to waste diversion opportunities and recovered resources for
future use.
vi) support
the establishment of a sub-regional network, noting that it’s possible
that smaller drop off centers that feed into a larger Community Recycling
Centre may be a better solution for parts of Auckland with less available
land.
vii) support
the extension of ABS OPEX funding from the Waste targeted rate to support new
and existing Community Recycling Centers, and ancillary drop-off centers and
to fund the development of a more strategic approach to delivering the
Resource Recovery Network by understanding the waste stream and profiles of
different communities in Auckland.
viii) supports
a credible tip levy that discourages use of landfill. The Devonport-Takapuna
Local Board feels the increase from $10 tonne to $60 tonne by 2025 is too low
and too slow.
ix) recognise
the importance of groups such as Waste Solutions, local Business Improvement
Districts, waste related social enterprises, as well as community groups
engaged in waste management, working together in order to develop a fit for
purpose strategy for a sub-regional part of the Resource Recovery Network
across local board areas.
x) support
local boards collaborating across local board areas where communities of
interest are found, to enable sub-regional Community Recycling Centers and
Resource-Recovery warehouses.
xi) recommends
that Auckland Council lobby the new Minister for the Environment, advocating
for a greater waste disposal levy than the anticipated increase to $60 per
tonne by 2025 in line with our neighbouring Australian states, noting in
particular that in New South Wales the waste disposal levy is now $143 per tonne.
xii) recommend
that Auckland Council explore a new policy for the disposal of separated
waste paper and card (not co-mingled) and seek a localised recycling solution
(such as the old Fullcircle programme once operated by Carter Holt Harvey) so
that there is a better paper waste diversion system in the Auckland area.
xiii) ask
that Auckland Council advocate for small suburban neighbourhood recycling centers,
operated as small family businesses, where the local community can go and
trade their recyclable product, especially when the container deposit scheme
is instituted across New Zealand, similar to what happens in the Australian
city of Adelaide.
b) note
that the local board feedback will be included in a report to Environment and Climate Change Committee in November 2020
seeking adoption of the updated Resource Recovery Network Strategy.
CARRIED
|
