MEDIA RELEASE

11 November 2005

Locals look forward to 'Uniquely Waiheke' resource recovery park

Auckland City Council's proposals for Waiheike Island's new resource recovery park have been met with enthusiasm by the island's residents.

Last month Auckland City spent two weeks seeking the views of Waiheke Island residents on proposed activities and facilities for the park, beginning with a consultation day on the island.

Auckland City project manager Gareth Morgan says the public's views are being incorporated in a 'concept design' and that the council wanted to thank people for participating.

"The feedback was fantastic - there was strong support for the project and an eagerness to make the most of the opportunity to create something special for the island.

"The most popular proposals were the new reuse and recycling facilities, and the education centre. We also received positive responses for the horizontal composting unit for green waste, using cooking oil to make biofuel for the island's rubbish trucks, and the café and gallery."

Mr Morgan says he was especially pleased to receive submissions from Waiheke Primary School.

"It's great that young people are taking an interest in resource recovery. Their input is invaluable for the island's future."

The proposals are part of the process of upgrading Waiheke Island's refuse transfer station to a resource recovery park. The park will be purpose-built to reuse and recover as much waste as possible and reduce the amount of waste sent off the island to landfill. The refuse transfer station is owned and managed by Auckland City, and run by Clean Stream Waiheke.

Gordon Hodson, a director of Clean Stream Waiheke, says, "I am delighted to see such a positive public response to the proposals for the resource recovery park. It shows that the island's residents care about the quality of their environment and want to see better facilities.

"In spite of an increasing population, the new facilities and community support will enable Waiheke Island to continue to substantially reduce the amount of waste going to landfill."

The concept design will be completed in December. Residents will have further opportunities to have their say once the concept design is developed. Building work is likely to start in mid 2006.

ENDS

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