your Kerbside Food Scraps Collection

In July/August we asked which services matter most, and where changes could be made, to help keep rates affordable. Your feedback has helped shape proposals to reduce service costs and the amount funded through rates.

Please read the supporting information, including potential savings and other key details, to help inform your feedback on this proposal.

What we are proposing

Council is proposing to discontinue the kerbside food scraps collection service during the next ten-year 2027/37 Long-Term Plan.

Note:

• There is an existing contract to deliver these services through till 2030.
• Residents would continue to receive kerbside rubbish and recycling collections.

Council is also interested in understanding whether support should be provided for alternatives such as home composting and worm farming.

Key points

• Council is proposing to not continuing with kerbside food scraps collection during the 2027–37 Long-Term Plan.
• Kerbside rubbish and recycling collections would continue.
• Stopping collection could save approximately $1.5 million over 10 years, allowing for increased rubbish disposal costs.
• Introduced in October 2020 to reduce landfill waste, the service has had lower uptake than expected.
• Only six of 29 comparable small provincial and rural councils provide the service.
• Council is considering support for home composting or worm farming.
• Fully subsidising these alternatives for all households receiving kerbside services could cost up to $380,000 over 10 years if every household who receives kerbside collection receives a fully subsidised solution. No subsidy level has been decided.
• Earlier feedback on stopping the service was evenly split: 45% supported, 45% opposed and 10% unsure.

If you haven't read the supporting info on our website, please do so before giving your feedback as it may help inform your views.