29 October 2019
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Tarawera transfer station
Enquiry
We received a photo this morning from a disgruntled Lake Tarawera resident about the state of the recycling centre out there following the long weekend:
Are any extra collections put in place over the busy season to ensure this doesn't happen?
Would this be classed as a health and safety risk?
What would the council's view be on how the situation got this bad?
Response
From Group Manager Infrastructure, Stavros Michael:
"Outside of opening hours Tarawera transfer station can only be used for household rubbish (in Council issued bags) and recycling. We can see from the photos provided, as well as photos provided from transfer station staff, that the issue during the long weekend was illegal dumping of rubbish that is not considered 'household' waste. There is clear signage to indicate what is and isn't accepted at the transfer station.
We are aware that holiday periods are a busy time for waste services so each transfer station is checked and cleared prior to and during those periods. We can confirm that the transfer station was cleared on Sunday afternoon and rubbish was again removed at 11am on Monday morning. The rubbish photographed accumulated in less than 24 hours.
These instances of illegal dumping can overload the transfer station's capacity and cause health safety risks for legitimate users and waste collection staff. It is important that, in partnership with the community, we continue to review the management plans and consider options to deter illegal dumping at the transfer station.
As we come up to summer, waste collection services will increase at most public spaces around the district. This includes the inner city and popular lakeside reserves. We would like to remind people that rubbish and recycling is a significant cost to the community and the more responsible people are, the more cost effective and efficient waste services are going to be."
Information for you (not to be used as quotes)
What is accepted (outside of opening hours):
- Red rubbish bags (council issued)
- Household recycling (see Council website here for accepted recycling) What is not accepted (outside of opening hours):
- Furniture
- E-waste
- Greenwaste
- Whiteware
- Garden tools
- Rubbish not in Council issued bags
- Tyres The Tarawera Transfer Station is open Thursday 1pm - 4.30pm and Sunday 1pm - 4.30pm for people to dispose of small-scale commercial waste, larger quantities of household rubbish, clean scrap metal and greenwaste for a fee.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Noise complaints
Enquiry
I was wondering if there were the numbers of complaints floating around for the top 10 streets?
While I am here though, could I please get these questions answered by midday tomorrow?
- What is the process once a noise complaint has been filed?
- Is it the same process in the evening as it is in the day?
- How are people able to get back their items which have been seized?
What is considered an unreasonable amount of noise?
*NOTE: This enquiry follows an initial enquiry about this topic - see THIS LINK for the initial enquiry and response from 23 October 2019
Response
From Manager Community and Regulatory Services, Kurt Williams:
"We want to remind everyone that if you are planning an activity or party where noise may be an issue to ensure you are mindful of your neighbours and neighbourhood. This will ensure everyone will have an enjoyable event and neighbours should not be unreasonably disturbed."
Information - not to be used as quotes:
Top 10 streets:
- Malfroy Road = 67 complaints
- Sunset Road = 59 complaints
- Lisa Crescent = 56 complaints
- Spinel Place = 50 complaints
- Meadowbank Crescent = 48 complaints
- Mount View Drive = 43 complaints
- Miller Street = 42 complaints
- Homedale Drive = 41 complaints
- Rimu Street = 40 complaints
- Todd Duncan Drive = 37 complaints Q. What is the process once a noise complaint has been filed?A Noise Control Officer will be dispatched to visit and determine where the noise is coming from. If the Noise Control Officer finds that the noise is excessive, they may issue a noise direction notice. It states that the noise has to be reduced to a reasonable level. This notice applies for 72 hours from the time it is issued.Q). Is it the same process in the evening as it is in the day? Rotorua Lakes Council provides a 24-hour 7-day noise control service. Our contact number is 07 348 4199. Calls must be lodged at the time the noise issue is occurring. Q). How are people able to get back their items which have been seized? Anyone wishing to collect their seized items must bring a suitable form of identification into Councils customer centre to arrange for its return. Q). What is considered an unreasonable amount of noise?Typically, in deciding whether the noise levels are excessive, the Noise Control Officer considers the effect the noise is having on the complainant and also takes into account the time of day, background noise and duration. In certain situations, noise measurements are also taken to determine whether the noise levels comply with the limits stated in the District Plan (planning rules).
