Wellington residents can dispose of their green waste at the Southern Landfill for free for the next seven days following the destructive storm that hit the region earlier this week.

The free period – from midday today till 5pm Thursday 26 February - will apply to residents turning up in non-commercial vehicles at the landfill weighbridge. Normally there’s a $10 minimum charge for green waste delivered in private cars, vans or utes and in domestic trailers.

Cr Jonny Osborne proposed the free period as a small gesture by the City Council to “help out all the residents who’ve been battered this week. There are a lot of people having to clean up broken trees and shredded gardens.”

Mayor Andrew Little says: “This is a positive initiative that reduces the cost for Wellingtonians who are able to help clean their properties and the streets outside their residences.

“I’d like to acknowledge Cr Osborne for his advocacy to help support our residents and take some of the load off the Council’s cleanup crews,” says the Mayor.

The free period was approved at this morning’s meeting of the Te Taurapa Council Planning and Finance Committee. Chair Diane Calvert called the decision “quick and pragmatic”. The ‘amnesty’ is expected to cost the Council about $38,000 in lost revenue and processing costs.

Hutt City Council has announced a similar green waste ‘amnesty’ for its residents.

Mayor Little advises residents to head to the landfill early in the day – the hours are 7.30am to 5pm – to avoid congestion at the weighbridge.

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