Hauraki District Council has approved a new litter bin system that it says will improve staff safety, maintain litter services across the district and eventually save the community $108,000 a year in operating costs.
Aluminium bin enclosures containing 240-litre wheelie bins will replace 49 Big Belly Bins currently dotted around the district.
The council will also be removing 13 bins from low-use sites and replacing 11 park and reserve bins with wheelie bins on secure stands.
Twelve recycling bin units will also be replaced with standard bins as they were consistently being contaminated with too many non-recyclables to be effective.
A detailed review found council was not using the smart technology of the previous Big Belly bins to its full potential, meaning anticipated benefits, such as optimised collections, reduced servicing costs and improved efficiency were not being realised.
“Big Belly bins were an innovative solution when they were introduced, but after reviewing how they’re performing in Hauraki we’ve found there are more practical and cost-effective ways to deliver this service,” Mayor Toby Adams said.
“The new system will allow us to keep providing litter bins where they’re needed most while reducing health and safety risks for our team and make better use of public funds.”
Total spending on litter bins across the district reached $382,456 in 2023/24, more than $114,000 over budget.
Annual operational savings under the new approach are projected at around $108,000 from year two onwards.
The capital cost of the transition is approximately $334,905, funded through the Recreation Reserves and Plant and Vehicle Capital budget.
Meanwhile, the council has received a grant of $45,000 from the New Zealand Community Trust to go towards construction of a D-shaped basketball court and pathway in Paeroa’s Railway Reserve.
The build is part of a raft of planned upgrades to the playground area.
An opening date for the new Ngatea council building has also been set.
The He Pātaka Kōrero Hauraki Plains Library and Community Centre is due to open on July 9, with a dawn blessing followed by a civic opening ceremony at 9am.
