Kerbside Recycling: Coming Soon

Regarding recycling, I came across this in my files and while it was a contentious issue to campaign on in 2007  I still believe it is the best way to collect waste with value across the city. 

Care of the Environment

…an unspoilt environment will be our legacy …

I support the consideration of kerbside recycling to make recycling easy and to meet the needs of residents who are unable to get to the recycling centre in town. 

Karen Hunt (candidate statement 2007)

I am really pleased that we are now providing for our residents what many other NZ’s take for granted, a kerbside collection for recycling. Rubbish collection at the gate is a long held tradition for convenience and safety. Parts of the waste stream have additional value therefore it is a natural extension to establish a seperate collection for recyclables at the gate. 

We have indeed taken our time to get here. Sometimes a good idea can languish for lack of support, lack of money or lack of political will, and sometimes all three. There is still more value to be had from our ‘rubbish’ with green waste and food waste, however lets just start with plastics, glass, tin and paper.

While we have had to wait many years for kerbside wheelie bins it is now financially prudent to make the move to contracting out the waste collection service. We are one of the few remaining councils using bags and with the introduction of the new health and safety regulations it was inevitable that we would move to a wheelie bin collection and with that the opportunity for kerbside recycling. 

Being late adopters means there is a silver lining, we have seen what works and what doesn’t and working with our rural and lakeside communities we have recognised a different approach is required.  Any major change often has a few teething problems however I am positive that neighbours will help each other and communities generally will benefit from this improved waste collection service.

A lot of people have been waiting for it to start and want it to be a success. I’m looking forward to the roll out of the bins and the start of collections at the end of October.

Political Ups An Downs: November 2015

Steam n Mud published this kind piece, showcasing some of the successes of the Inner City Revitalisation Strategy, while also teasing out some of the challenges faced when trying to bring about change.

Feature: New Council Look

Rotorua Model Inspires New Plymouth: September 2015

In September 2015, the Taranaki Daily News very favourably referenced Rotorua's inner city revitalisation strategy as an example of where they should be heading.

The job is not finished, but it's gratifying to see that other cities are noticing our progress.

New Plymouth CBD under the spotlight.

 

Newsmaker Article: September 2014

The Rotorua Daily Post was kind enough to include me in their series about local newsmakers.

I was pleased to have the opportunity to talk a little about my background and current interests.

Newsmaker: Karen Hunt.

Back On Line

Seems like just yesterday I was contributing regularly to this blog.  Not surprisingly, it was almost three years ago. 

With elections looming again, it feels like time to resurrect things and commit to posting here from time to time.

With Facebook I'll post short, lighter items, but here I hope to go into a little more depth about significant local issues and news I think need to be highlighted.  As the election approaches, I'll post copies of statements and comments that I prepare for various publications and purposes.

In the meantime, I'll be posting a few catchup items from the media  over the last year or so.  I hope these will give some idea of the work I've been doing for Rotorua, my level of commitment and the issues I hold dear.

Thanks for checking in; I hope you find some items of interest here.

Rotorua Business Featured

For those of you who missed it, a Kaharoa business on the outskirts of Rotorua was the feature story in last week’s Country Calendar on TV1 on 28^th September. 

Diane Coleman and her business, Treeline Nursery were the star attraction with Landcare Okareka in a supporting role.

Diane won the Enterprising Rural Women Award 2013.  Her story is a reminder that finding a niche market, providing quality products and great teamwork will pay off.   Interestingly all of her staff are women, other than her husband.

Treeline Nursery grows native plants.  The seeds are harvested from good quality stock in the bush and the details of each species are known and tracked.  This is important, as certain conditions require plants with certain strengths.  These plants are used extensively to regenerate stream margins, to improve lake water quality by reducing farm runoff and to provide native habitat for the birds and bees.

Diane has created a successful business that supports sustainable environmental goals.  She provides good quality native plants, adding to the increase in bird song, regeneration of native fish and the over-arching goal of improving lake water quality for the many diverse communities in the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes catchment.

Both the Rotorua District Council and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council are customers.  These councils actively support community groups like Landcare Okareka in the planting of native species in their community.  The BOP Regional Council assists Landcare Okareka with a Biodiversity Management Plan with additional assistance from the Rotorua District Council Parks and Reserves Department.

The Okareka walkway is a great example of this.  Most recently, planting happened around and above the sewerage pump station and the Lake Okareka Scenic reserve on Okareka Loop Road.

See the show here http://tvnz.co.nz/country-calendar/s2013-ep28-video-5590988 

Any community group that wishes to clean up an area and has a project they would .ike support with can contact either www.boprc.govt.nz or www.rdc.govt.nz.

In 90 Days....

 

[This was published in today's edition of the Rotorua Review.] 

What one change would you expect to have implemented after 90 days in the role? 

Improvements in how we consult will be an initial focus.  We are bound by regulations, however there is much more to consultation than just meeting these requirements. We need more promotion, better facilitation and robust discussion before Council presents a preferred outcome.  We can and must improve in this area.