Relief to our ratepayers expected from grant for new Whitianga RTS

Published on 04 November 2024

Ratepayers in our district will benefit from significant cost savings following a $5.9 million grant from the Ministry for the Environment’s Waste Minimisation Fund (WMF) to support the development of the new Whitianga Refuse and Recycling Transfer Station (RTS).

Our Council budgeted $11.5 million for the RTS project as part of our 2024-2034 Long Term Plan (LTP). The WMF grant will reduce the overall project cost by half, resulting in nearly $6 million in savings for ratepayers.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Ministry for the Environment for this generous grant of $5.9 million,” said Mo Imtiaz, Infrastructure Group Manager of Thames-Coromandel District Council. “Their support will help us bring this long-awaited project to life, enhancing waste management in Whitianga and throughout the district, and contributing to our goal of reducing the amount of waste that goes to landfill."

Tracey Bell, Chairperson of Wāhi Tukurua (Mercury Bay Resource Recovery Centre Trust) said "This funding is the catalyst to realising our community's long awaited waste minimisation and Resource Recovery Centre vision".

The detailed design phase of the RTS project is underway, with the procurement process set to begin soon and continue into next year. Initial construction is expected to start in April 2025, with completion targeted for June 2026.

The new RTS is needed to meet the growing needs of Whitianga. The existing RTS site will remain in operation until the new facility opens.

Of the $5.9 million grant, $1 million is set aside for an organic waste processing facility that could benefit the entire district. However, the establishment of this organic waste processing facility depends on the results of a high-level feasibility study that is yet to be undertaken and co-funding from Council which is yet to be confirmed. Originally, this study was planned for FY2026/27 as part of our Waste Management and Minimisation Plan (WMMP), but it will now be brought forward.

Soon, Council will invite proposals from suitably qualified consultants to carry out this organic waste processing facility feasibility study.