Blackbridge Refuse Transfer Station Management Change

Services at Blackbridge Refuse Transfer Station will not only continue but they are likely to increase as a new contract comes into effect at the site near Te Awanga.

Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule says it’s fantastic a resolution has been found that will not only serve the local community but save ratepayers at large over the long-term.

“This is a partnership between the Council and the private sector that will mean the facility will run on a business model, while still providing a service to the community and reducing the volume of material going to landfill.

“I congratulate Phoenix Contracting Ltd, a Hastings company, for being successful in getting the contract,” Mayor Yule says.

Over the last few years Blackbridge has seen decreasing volumes and increasing costs and when a proposal was made to shut the site the community made it clear it wanted it to remain open. As a result a public-private model of operation was proposed and now this contract has been awarded.

From today Phoenix Contracting Ltd will take over the management of the site with Council retaining ownership of the land. The contract was awarded to Phoenix Contracting Ltd on the condition existing refuse disposal services to the community would continue.

Existing levels of service will initially remain the same, including opening and closing times and charges.

“It’s anticipated the levels of service will in fact be extended in the future including the possibility of the number of open days a week. The current charge rates are guaranteed until July 1 this year, when they will be reviewed in line with price changes at the Omarunui Landfill,” Mayor Yule says.

It is expected there will be additional services, including the acceptance of a wider range of refuse types at the site, such as concrete, bricks, rubble, steel, soil, aggregate and other forms of construction and demolition waste will be introduced in the future.

Existing recycling services will continue at the site, with the exception of waste oil collection.

On behalf of the Hastings District Council, Phoenix Contracting Ltd has agreed to accept official Council orange rubbish bags at the site for no charge during opening hours.

The current recycling services, with the exception of waste oil, will continue to be jointly provided by Phoenix Contracting Ltd and the Hastings District Council.

Tim Godfrey, Council’s Blackbridge kiosk operator, is taking to opportunity of the management change to retire after being at Blackbridge since 1988.

“I’d like to thank all the customers of the station for their friendship and good humour and I hope customers support Phoenix Contracting Ltd by continuing to use the refuse transfer station,” Mr Godfrey says.