A new environmental project for Waiuku, developing a zero waste capability, has been allocated $60,000 in funding from Franklin Local Board’s local environment work programme.
The local board wants to support waste minimisation initiatives that encourage communities to reduce waste. “Part of the work will be education on creating a circular economy,” board chair Angela Fulljames says.
Waiuku Zero Waste will be engaged to deliver an inorganic collection trial with Waiuku and Pukekohe businesses, and to deliver a zero waste education programme.
The inorganic collection trial will engage with 70 businesses in Waiuku and 30 in Pukekohe and will involve education on how to reduce and reuse waste.
The local board will spend $230,000 on 11 projects that also focus on improving water quality and stream environments and controlling pest plants and animals.
"Environment has always scored highly when we have community consultation on board plans or regional budgets," Ms Fulljames says.
The projects are:
- Waiuku Town Basin water quality monitoring, $4000
- Awakura restoration project, $15,000
- Hunua Domain Recreation Reserve plant maintenance, $15,000
- Shell barrier management, $15,000
- Pest Free Franklin, $20,000
- Beachlands waste minimisation, $20,000
- Waiuku waste minimisation, $60,000
- Mauku Stream protection, $30,000
- Wairoa River restoration, $30,000
- Litter free Franklin, $15,000
- Manukau Harbour Forum, $6000.
"We have a strong commitment to the environment, especially in improving water quality and stream environments, and in community recycling and pest management.
"We have funded water monitoring at Waiuku since 2015 to provide data on nutrient and contaminant levels, and we’ll continue to support biodiversity and improvement work along the Awakura, Mauku and Wairoa waterways.
"Much of the work we are doing is being done alongside mana whenua and community groups, so it’s important we continue a united drive to be good guardians of the land."
