Minimum Charge introduced at Omarunui Landfill

An increase in the minimum charge at the Omarunui Landfill aims to encourage larger trucks and less frequent loads.

The Omarunui Joint Landfill Committee, representing both Hastings District Council and Napier City Council, has agreed to introduce the minimum charge from Monday, November 2 for landfill licensed vehicles as follows;

· $100 (excl. gst) for general municipal waste.

· $136 (excl. gst) for all special wastes.

Committee Chairman, and Napier Councillor, Harry Lawson says requirements for the vehicles using the landfill have also changed.

“The landfill has been set up for large vehicles and the resource consent it operates under requires us to limit the number of vehicle movements to the site as much as possible. These changes will help achieve that,” Cr Lawson says.

Vehicles dumping at the landfill will be;

· Bulk haulage vehicles from transfer stations operated by, or on behalf of, any local authority;

· Vehicles with a “Gross Vehicle Mass” (GVM) no less than eight tonnes;

· Vehicles depositing “special wastes” which have been granted a weight exemption.

“The changes relating to the type of vehicle permitted to use the landfill are to take effect immediately. However, we are giving 12 months grace as of 31 July 2009 to waste operators with current licenses who do not meet the eight tonne GMV,” Cr Lawson says.

“We are also mindful that the landfill users are burdened with the extra cost of the $10 + GST per tonne Government levy which we as landfill operators have no control over.”

“Even with the new increased charges however, Omarunui is still one of the most cost effective landfills in the country,” Cr Lawson says.

Deputy Chair, and Hastings Councillor, Wayne Bradshaw says the changes are aimed at achieving the environmental sustainability objectives of the councils and extending the life of the landfill.

"These changes have been made in consultation with the landfill users group. The initiatives are in part about building the relationship with users and working more closely with them over time. In doing so we get the best result for the community at large."

“The impact of the charges will be monitored over a five to six month period before a full review of the changes will be carried out in April 2010,” Cr Bradshaw says.