Bin There, Done That: Rethinking Summer Rubbish Pick-ups
Every year we update our Long Term Plan (LTP) with an Annual Plan to reflect changing circumstances, including any changes to service delivery.
Last year, we completed our 2024-2034 LTP, and forecast our budgets and rates for the next 10 years. Right now, we’re preparing the Annual Plan for 2025/26 (Year 2 of the LTP).
We'd like to hear your thoughts on our proposal to reduce summer kerbside collections for rubbish and glass in Whangamatā, Pāuanui, Tairua, and Mercury Bay North and South areas from twice weekly to once weekly (from the week of Christmas to the week of Waitangi Day). This will align it with the peak recycling collections.
While the change will only affect rubbish and glass collections in our East Coast communities, all wards will benefit from the cost savings. As the rubbish and recycling budget is shared district-wide, our ratepayers would save an average of $33 in rates. Our eastern communities will save more, since they’ll see the service change.
Share your feedback now online Download a fillable form
What would change?
Right now:
- Peak Summer (from the week of Christmas Day to the week of Waitangi Day): Rubbish and glass are picked up twice a week, and recycling once a week.
- Rest of the year: there would be no changes to the usual 'fortnightly' off-peak schedule
- Food scraps remain the same year-round: once a week.
We’re proposing:
- Peak summer collections for rubbish and glass would be once a week instead of twice, aligning it with the weekly collection of recycling over peak.
- There would be no changes to the usual off-peak schedule.
Your feedback will be a big help to us as we come to a final decision.
How do I give feedback?
You can share your thoughts with us from 1 to 29 April, 2025. We're especially wanting to hear from you if you live on our Eastern seaboard and may be affected by the proposed change.
Share your feedback now online Download a fillable form
Rather kōrero or chat?
Kōrero in a Council meeting forum
Share your thoughts with the elected members at their public meeting forum on Tuesday 8 April, 9am, in Thames or online.
Kōrero with our elected members and staff
Talk with our elected members and Waste and Recycling team on the following dates at these venues:
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Whangamatā
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14 April
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10am - 2.30pm – Council office
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Whitianga
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15 April
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10am - 2.30pm – Council office
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Tairua
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16 April
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10am - 2.30pm – St Francis House
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Kōrero at a feedback forum
Share your feedback directly with our elected members on Monday 5 May at a public feedback forum:
- In person at our Thames office
- Online from our offices at Whangamatā and Whitianga
- Online from your own location
Prefer to jot it all down?
Fill out a paper form
Pick up a form from our services centres and libraries or download a fillable form online, then:
- Post to 'Summer Rubbish Pick-ups feedback', Thames-Coromandel District Council, Private Bag 1001, Thames 3540
- Email consultation@tcdc.govt.nz with 'Summer Rubbish Pick-ups feedback' in the subject line
- Deliver in person to one of our service centres
Get social on Facebook
We'll be sharing posts about the Summer Rubbish Pick-ups during the consultation period, so you can comment to tell us what you think.
What's happening next?
- Once feedback closes on Tuesday 29 April, there will be a final opportunity to share any feedback on Monday 5 May in a Council public feedback forum.
- On Tuesday 20 May, we'll meet to consider all the feedback we've received, before we come to a decision.
- On Tuesday 24 June, our draft Annual Plan is scheduled to be adopted at our Council meeting.
- Once that's happened, we'll share our final decision with you, and we'll make the final Annual Plan available to read and download on our website.