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Part C – Appendices

Waste assessment – overview [3.4][4.2][4.4][4.5]

The waste assessment is required by the WMA (s 51). The process for undertaking a waste assessment is explained in more detail in the guidance sections referenced above. The waste assessment should be ‘fit for purpose’ to support the WMMP process and the desired outcomes of the community. It should be as detailed as a council deems is required for this purpose, but no more.

The following is a general outline for a waste assessment and the information it should contain, and considerations for providing the information:

1 The waste problem

This section should contain available information about the waste problem, including (but not limited to) data about the current and future projected quantities, composition, source and destination of waste and diverted materials. When deciding what information to include, have regard to:

  • the significance of the information

  • the costs of, and difficulty in, obtaining the information

  • the extent of the TA’s resources

  • the possibility that the TA may be directed under the Health Act 1956 to provide the services referred to in that Act

  • details on the above and any limiting factors in assessing the quantity and/or composition of the district’s waste or forecasting limitations and how these have materially affected the completeness of the assessment, particularly the forecast of future demands and the options assessed.

2 Existing waste services

The waste assessment must contain information (such as in tabular format) indicating existing waste and waste minimisation services by category, including:

  • collection

  • recycling

  • recovery

  • treatment

  • disposal.

The services that should be included are:

  • a description of council-provided waste and waste minimisation services, infrastructure and programmes (eg, collection, recycling, recovery, treatment and disposal)

  • a description of waste and waste minimisation services, infrastructure and programmes provided by others (eg, collection, recycling, recovery, treatment and disposal).

When deciding what information to include, have regard to:

  • the significance of the information

  • the costs of, and difficulty in, obtaining the information

  • the extent of the TA’s resources

  • the possibility that the TA may be directed under the Health Act 1956 to provide the services referred to in that Act

  • details about the constraints and limiting factors in assessing existing services and how these have materially affected the completeness of the assessment, particularly the forecast of future demands and options assessed.

3 Future demand

This section should contain information about the forecast of future demands for services, infrastructure and programmes, and the activities to support the collection, recycling, recovery, treatment and disposal services within the district. Information should include (but not be limited to):

  • a forecast of future demand based on the waste data obtained, as in section 1 of the waste assessment, as well as consideration of information about the existing services

  • any predictions about changes in future demand and/or impacts on the forecast through council action or other relevant policy, programme or regulation

  • the council’s consideration of the impact of economic growth (or recession) as well as population growth (or decline) in their projections of per capita waste arising.

4 Statement of options

This section must contain a summary of the reasonably practicable options available to meet the forecast demands, including (but not limited to):

  • a statement of options available to meet the forecast demands of the district, with an assessment of the suitability of each option

  • a statement of the TA’s intended role in meeting the forecast demands.

The options review should include (but not be limited to) information such as:

  • a summary of the reasonably practicable options considered

  • the economic, environmental, social and cultural costs and benefits in relation to these options

  • how each option will contribute to the goals of the NZWS

  • how the option will affect the council’s goals or community outcomes (such as where there are goals/outcomes in a current WMMP or LTCCP)

  • how these options will affect future demand, such as issues of the capacity of the infrastructure

  • the council’s role in relation to each option.

5 Statements of proposal

Drawing on the preferred options and the council’s stated role in meeting future demand, councils must:

  • include a statement of the TA’s proposals for meeting the forecast demands, including proposals for new or replacement infrastructure

  • a statement about the extent to which the proposals will:
    1. ensure that public health is adequately protected
    2. promote effective and efficient waste management and minimisation (this could consider the council’s stated goals, objectives and targets).

6 Medical officer of health statement

Include a statement regarding the outcome of the required consultation with the medical officer of health for the district.

 

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