Chelmer Street identified as potential refuse transfer station site

The Waitaki District Council has identified land beside the Waitaki Resource Recovery Park in Chelmer Street as a potential site to build a refuse transfer station once the Oamaru Landfill closes - some time between 2013 and 2016.

 

Within the next two months, the Council intends to lodge a notice of requirement to designate the site of the current recovery park and land to the west of the park as a ‘Resource Recovery Park and Refuse Transfer Station’ under the Waitaki District Plan.

 

Solid waste officer, Gerry O’Neill, says a refuse transfer station will be needed when the Oamaru landfill closes so that residents, contractors and businesses have somewhere convenient to drop off rubbish from where it will be transported to a landfill outside the township area.

 

“Time is running out on the Oamaru landfill, so we need to identify and secure potential sites for a refuse transfer station in Oamaru as early as possible. The proposed designation will provide us with the opportunity to establish a refuse transfer station for the community at this site when Oamaru Landfill closes. The Chelmer Street site is an option because of its proximity to the current resource recovery park.

 

“A transfer refuse station would be a logical extension to the operations already undertaken at the park, and would be convenient for people to take both their recyclables and rubbish,” Mr O’Neill said.

 

The Council also wanted to secure the future of the current resource recovery park, which is run by the Waitaki Resource Recovery Trust with the Council’s support, he said.

 

“At the moment, the site is designated as a Council depot under the District Plan and requires a resource consent to operate. Changing the designation will make it easier for the park to continue operating at Chelmer Street, which has had strong public support in the past.”

 

Before lodging the notice of requirement, the Council will be seeking feedback from Oamaru residents.

 

“We want to give affected residents and the wider community an opportunity to ask questions and give us some feedback so we can make any necessary changes to the notice before it is formally lodged,” Mr O’Neill said.

 

A public meeting will be held at the Oamaru Club on Wednesday, 16 September at 7.30pm for the community to ask questions and discuss the proposal.

 

The Council is asking for feedback in writing by Friday, 2 October. Copies of the draft Notice of Requirement are available from the Council’s office in Thames Street or on Council’s website – www.waitaki.govt.nz.

 

The community will have another opportunity to have their say after the proposal is lodged and then publicly notified.

 

For further information contact:

Gerry O’Neill Neil Jorgenson

Solid Waste Officer Assets Group Manager

Waitaki District Council Waitaki District Council

03 433 0300 03 433 0300

021302074 021352194