Changes are coming to the Waitākere weed bin service in an effort to reduce the dumping of inorganic rubbish.
New weed bin services will be in place at four of the original sites in 2018, on a temporary basis every few months. The first bins (at Kauri Loop Rd and Victory Rd, Laingholm) will be in place for the weekend of 13-14 January. The bins at Mountain Rd and Kowhai Reserve in Withers Rd will be there for the first time on 3-4 February.
Permanent bins will remain at Piha and Huia. These are checked weekly to monitor levels of weeds in the bin, and checked for dumping of other rubbish.
“The temporary bin service frees up resource to have the weed bins supervised, to reduce the amount of illegal dumping, and to provide advice on weed management and disposal to those who use the bins,” says Malcolm Harrison, the Biosecurity Team Manager northwest.
“Unfortunately illegal dumping has increased costs significantly, which means the service has had to change,” says Malcolm.
“The weed bins also go to a class-one managed landfill to contain any kauri dieback disease that may be present in disposed soil."
"This adds cost, however is vital to contain this disease.”
The bins are funded by the Waitākere Ranges Local Board and managed by EcoMatters Environment Trust. EcoMatters will have a staff member on site on a Saturday from 9am–3pm to give advice on weed management and disposal and to ensure there is no dumping of inorganic rubbish.
Temporary weed bins will be on site by 8am on a Saturday and collected on a Monday morning.
During March 2018, weed bins will be in place for the entire month at all sites for EcoMatters’ annual War on Weeds, which is funded by the Waitākere Ranges and Henderson-Massey local boards.
Anyone wanting advice on disposal of weeds outside the bin timetable can contact the Auckland Council biosecurity team on biosecurity@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz or 09 301 0101. For bin-related queries contact EcoMatters on 09 826 4276 or info@ecomatters.org.nz.
Full timetable and locations below
Permanent bins
Permanent bins are location at Piha and Huia domains.
Temporary bins (two bins at each location)
Kauri Loop Road
- 13-14 January 2018
- 7-8 April 2018
- 9-10 June 2018
Kowhai Reserve , 28 Withers Rd
- 3-4 February 2018
- 5-6 May 2018
15-17 Mountain Road
- 3-4 February 2018
- 5-6 May 2018
69 Victory Rd, Laingholm
- 13-14 January 2018
- 7-8 April 2018
- 9-10 June 2018
The temporary bins will be attended by EcoMatters staff on Saturdays 9am–3pm to reduce illegal dumping.
During March 2018, all bins will be in place for the entire month for the annual War on Weeds.
