Rubbish Cages Keep Collection Areas Tidy

A great idea from the community has resulted in removing some major eyesores. This initiative is another example of a joint venture between Council and community.

Council responded to last year’s Annual Plan submissions by allocating funds for wooden cages which are assembled from kit sets and are being installed by community workers under the supervision of Harry Baycroft.

The rubbish cages are helping remove piles of accumulated rubbish bags that often get mutilated at rural collection points in Kaipara. They hold about 30 standard sacks and are only for pre-paid blue rubbish bags.

Following the success of the first, installed as a trial at Glinks Gully, others have been set up at Turiwiri West Road near Dargaville, Tangowahine, Waihue, Pouto, Omamari, plus Bulls Road and King Road in Mangawhai.

“They are proving a cost effective way of keeping collection sites tidy,” says Kaipara District Council’s Community Development Officer Heidi Dreyer “There has been lots of interest and requests for them.”

Mrs Dreyer says the current allocation of cages is committed but that other communities wanting one should contact the Council. She points out that the cages are not long term rubbish storage and asks residents not to put bags out until the day of collection or, at the earliest, the night before.

Hoanga resident Margaret Bishop’s concern about the mess at the corner of Arapohue and Turiwiri West Roads prompted her to make submissions, including photographs, to the Annual Plan.

She says the situation is now “infinitely better”. “It was an eyesore and a health risk because there were rats boogying around in the rubbish. Now it is all contained.”