Hurunui District Council

Location: Canterbury, South Island
Population: 10 050

Hurunui is a rural district covering 870 000sq kms of beautiful North Canterbury. The Council headquarters are at Amberley, 48kms north of Christchurch and the District extends as far north as the Lewis Pass, taking in the internationally recognised thermal resort of Hanmer Springs.

Farming is still the District's main employer and income earner, but the growing wine industry based around Waipara and the visitor industry are also significant contributors to the local economy.

Although the Hurunui District Council adopted a Zero Waste policy in March 2000, successful waste minimisation policies have been practised in the District for at least ten years.

In 1990, the Amberley Districts Residents' Association opened a recycling drop-off centre in the town's old fire station. With an enthusiastic team of volunteers, the facility soon outgrew its premises and moved into the Council depot. It has continued to expand into every available space in the depot, as volumes of waste removed from the waste stream have increased. Hurunui Recycling Inc. was established as the "trading arm" of the Residents' Association, and it now employs 6 full time and 2 part-time workers, still ably assisted by a great team of volunteers committed to recycling.

Council has recently purchased land adjoining the Amberley Transfer Station which means Hurunui's recovery and recycling operation will be able to expand. The new buildings will incorporate an Education Centre and Re-use Store.

Kerbside recycling using green sacks is now carried out weekly in several townships, and drop-off facilities are now provided at the District's five transfer stations. Hazardous wastes are the only materials not accepted.

A re-use centre at the Amberley site has proved to be highly successful as an outlet for used goods and now provides a regular income to the group.

The Council actively supports Hurunui Recycling by way of an annual grant, which is used for wages, education and facilities and also contracts the group to run its Amberley transfer station.

The Council also has a "Recycling Advisory Group" which includes councillors, staff and volunteers from all parts of the District. The Group ensures it is kept up to date with all waste minimisation activities and that all activities are co-ordinated to gain the best financial returns from the most resources.

A resource consent application was lodged in August 2002 for a Canterbury regional landfill to be constructed within the Hurunui District. The resulting publicity surrounding the proposal has heightened awareness of all waste issues but particularly waste minimisation. Residents are determined to reduce waste to landfill to ensure that this landfill, if approved, will be the last one Canterbury ever needs.

For more information contact Greg Bennett, Waste Minimisation Officer on greg.bennett@hurunui.govt.nz or 03 314 8816.