Auckland Council to Decide on Controversial Rubbish Collection Trial

Auckland residents will learn next week whether a proposed six-month trial to shift from weekly kerbside rubbish collection to a fortnightly schedule will proceed. The decision, set for December 16, 2023, will be made by the Policy, Planning and Development Committee and affects approximately 10,000 households in specific suburbs.

The trial aims to implement fortnightly rubbish collection in selected areas, including Clendon Park/Weymouth, Te Atatū Peninsula, and Panmure/Tāmak, from February to August 2026. The initiative is estimated to cost between $1.4 million and $1.7 million and is intended to assess the feasibility of a broader rollout across the region by 2028.

Public consultation has revealed substantial opposition to the trial, with recent feedback indicating that 78% of the 5,086 submitters expressed disapproval. Concerns centered around managing fuller bins, potential hygiene issues, and insufficient bin space for larger households.

Daniel Newman, a councillor representing Manurewa-Papakura, has voiced strong opposition to the trial, advocating for the council to heed the concerns of Aucklanders. He stated, “The feedback from Clendon, Weymouth, Panmure, and Te Atatū Peninsula was categoric – fortnightly is a dead duck.” Newman emphasized that constituents desire a permanent, region-wide weekly rubbish collection service, a sentiment he fully supports.

Councillor Josephine Bartley expressed hope that the voices of the community will influence the upcoming vote. She highlighted the need for the council to address broader waste management issues, including recycling, food waste, and illegal dumping. “We need to do more with our communities about recycling,” she stated.

During the meeting, the council’s General Manager of Waste Solutions, Justine Haves, will present a range of information to assist in the decision-making process. This will include community feedback obtained during the public consultation, details on how the trial would function, and available support for participants. Haves reaffirmed the council’s commitment to transparency, stating, “Once a decision is made, we’ll inform the public through a media release and send direct communications to households in the proposed trial areas.”

Should the proposal not be approved, the current weekly rubbish collection service will remain in place for those regions. As the decision date approaches, the outcome remains uncertain, but the overwhelming feedback from the public suggests a strong preference for maintaining the existing collection schedule.

The outcome of this trial could have significant implications for waste management practices in Auckland, reflecting broader concerns about sustainability and community preferences.