Auckland CBD 'spring cleans' in time for Cup

The Beautify Your City campaign initiated last November by CBD business group Heart of the City and Auckland Council has achieved a pass mark – but organisers say there’s still room for improvement.

The third phase of the campaign kicks off today. It is designed to educate and encourage CBD businesses to improve their waste management practises and take pride in their environment in the lead up to Rugby World Cup 2011 and beyond.
Ensuring businesses use the official rubbish bags, put their bags out for collection at the right time, adhere to the weight limits so the bags are manageable for collectors and avoid contaminating their recycling are key objectives. Eliminating illegal dumping of fats and oils in street drains and tree pits is also a focus.”
Statistics released by the council show the first two phases of the campaign have had a positive impact.
In November 2010, following the launch of the first phase of the Beautify Your City campaign, 381 bags were illegally dumped – a marked improvement compared to the 1,273 bags dumped in November 2009. The following month saw an almost 30 per cent reduction to 269 and in February 2011 only 121 bags were dumped.
However, things have slipped a little since February’s good result, with numbers of illegally dumped bags steadily rising.

Heart of the City CEO Alex Swney says the first two phases of Beautify Your City have been an outstanding success but wants to remind business owners it’s not over yet.
“Everyone involved has worked very hard and our thanks go to those who have made the effort. But the report card shows we can do better, so we are urging businesses to improve on their good work,” Mr Swney says.

Phase three of the campaign runs from now through July when city shoppers and workers will see colourful flower beds popping up in various CBD locations. Queen Street retailer Smith and Caughey’s is also creating a spectacular window display featuring the eye-catching floral and hedge design rubbish and recycling bags developed especially for the programme.

Mayor Len Brown says research shows when there is a concerted effort to remind businesses about their responsibilities behaviours change, and with Rugby World Cup 2011 less than 80 days away phase three of the Beautify Your City campaign is perfectly timed.
“Right now illegally dumped rubbish consumes hours of the council’s time each week – with extra collections, investigations and follow-up with non-compliant businesses required. That’s a burden for ratepayers and the illegally dumped rubbish is not a good look for Auckland either.”

The Mayor says all Aucklanders need to be thinking seriously about getting ready to welcome visitors from around New Zealand and overseas.

“With this campaign, we want to remind inner-city businesses that they have a big role to play in keeping our streets free of unsightly rubbish, but everyone has a part to play where they live, work and play.
“This sort of thing makes a big difference. When keeping our homes and our streets clean and tidy becomes a community initiative, it all makes a difference. When we have pride in our place, neighbours and visitors notice.”

Alex Swney says he has received positive feedback about the campaign to date with many businesses commenting on how much they love the colourful bags.

“The council has improved its relationship and understanding of the business community it services,” Mr Swney says. “Around 1,700 businesses receive a personal visit and a hand-delivered information pack from ambassadors in each phase where they can raise issues and ask questions.

“It’s great because the business managers know exactly where they stand and the Council has been very open in helping them comply.”

Different language groups have been considered and ambassadors are able to converse in Korean, Hindi and Mandarin Chinese.
Heart of the City and Auckland Council acknowledge the support of Palmers, who supplied the flowers and plants throughout the campaign.