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Saddle Hill Community Board
12 March 2020
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Waste Futures Project and Proposed Smooth Hill
Landfill
Department: Waste and Environmental Solutions
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1 This
report is to inform the Saddle Hill Community Board of activities relevant to
the Waste Futures Project and proposed the Smooth Hill Landfill.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
That the Board:
a) Notes the
Waste Futures Project and Proposed Smooth Hill Landfill report
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BACKGROUND
2 The
establishment of the Waste Futures project was reported to Council on 26 June
2018, and to the Saddle Hill Community Board on 12 July 2018.
3 The
Project was initiated due to the following primary drivers for change:
· Green
Island landfill consents expire in October 2023: There is a need to avoid
undesirable and expensive out-of-district waste disposal.
· Kerbside
collection contracts expire in June 2022: Additional recycling and organics
processing facilities may be required to support a new collections system.
· External
influences: Central government is considering expanding and increasing the
Waste Disposal Levy, Emissions Trading Scheme, and designing mandatory product
stewardship schemes for at least six priority products (tyres, electrical and
electronic products, agrichemicals and their containers, refrigerants and other
synthetic greenhouse gases, farm plastics, and packaging).
· Ongoing
uncertainty in recycling commodity markets. The future waste system needs to be
diverse and resilient through change.
· Council
carbon neutral and zero-waste targets.
· Council
currently only control 19% of approximately 87,000 tonnes of waste disposed of
at Green Island landfill annually, the remaining waste is controlled by
commercial waste companies. (Note: The figure of 87,000 tonnes is as per the
2018 full district Waste Assessment; however, waste quantities decreased by
approximately 25 – 30% during 2019).
4 The
Waste Futures Project includes using a Better Business Case process to identify
a recommended waste and diverted material system for Dunedin. Council’s
overall objective for this project is:
· To
ensure effective reduction and management of solid waste to achieve the goals
set out in its Waste Management and Minimisation Plan. Specifically, to
identify and procure the best solid waste solution for Dunedin City to enable
us to move towards a zero-waste future and a circular economy.
5 Progress
reports were presented to ISCOM on 15 October 2018, 11 February 2019, and
10 February 2020, and to Council on 30 April 2019. A further report
recommending options for public engagement on kerbside waste and recycling
collections was presented to ISCOM on 5 August 2019.
6 The
proposed Smooth Hill site was originally recommended as a replacement for the
Green Island landfill in the early 1990’s after extensive evaluation of
32 potential sites, and subsequently approved by Council for detailed
investigations on 4 February 1992. Public consultation was carried out in March
1992, and again in November 1992 through to February 1993, with the final
recommendation approved by Council on 21 April 1993. The notice of requirement
for the site designation was first notified on 24 July 1995, and then
re-notified on 19 July 1999, with the District Plan becoming operative on 19
April 2004, including all designations.
DISCUSSION
7 Phase
one of the Waste Future Project included an integrated assessment of all
aspects of the waste management system that are relevant to Dunedin. This included
a review of the strategic options available to manage solid waste using the
Better Business Case (BBC) framework in accordance with the New Zealand
Government’s Better Business Case guidelines.
8 The
BBC process provides a best practice approach to manage risk and ensure a
robust assessment of options and the financial, delivery, management and
environmental issues associated with this type of project.
9 The
business case is being developed in stages, with phase one leading to an
indicative business case advising the Council of a preferred option. Phase two
involves a detailed business case aimed at a final decision on what components
should comprise the entire solid waste management system operated by Council.
10 Phase
one of the project consisted of six interrelated workstreams:
· Workstream
1: Project Management – Ongoing project management and governance of the
programme, including procurement of professional services.
· Workstream
2: Feasibility Analysis – Technical feasibility analysis of Green Island
and alternative landfill site at Smooth Hill, including service continuity and
planning.
· Workstream
3: Options Analysis and Business Case Process – Development and analysis
of waste futures options, including recommendation of preferred option and
associated business case development.
· Workstream
4: Review of Waste Management and Minimisation Plan (WMMP) – Review of
the Waste Management and Minimisation Plan to ensure it is aligned with, and
supports, the Waste Futures project.
· Workstream
5: Review Kerbside Collection – Review collection contracts to ensure
they support service continuity and are aligned with, and support, the Waste
Futures project.
· Workstream
6: Communications and Engagement – Development and implementation of a
communications and engagement plan that supports the Waste Futures project,
including the review of the Waste Management and Minimisation Plan and review
of kerbside collection services.
11 Workstream
2, the technical feasibility analysis of Green Island and alternative landfill
site at Smooth Hill, began on 23 July 2018 with a feasibility study workshop
and information gathering exercise. This was followed by:
· A
review of national statutes, regulations, standards, and guidelines that affect
the development and operation of landfills.
· A
review of existing resource consents and designations, plus regional and local
planning instruments to determine the constraints on both Green Island and
Smooth Hill sites.
· Site
Surveys to determine the physical nature of both sites and surrounding
environs, including topography and available space.
· Evaluation
of current waste quantities and composition to identify the possible impacts of
population and economic growth and identify opportunities for diverting waste.
12 A
second feasibility study workshop was held on 28 August 2018, and a third and
final workshop was held on 1 October 2018.
13 The
results of the feasibility studies were presented to ISCOM on 11 February 2019.
The results can be briefly summarised as follows:
· The
Green Island Landfill has operational capacity to allow it to remain in use
until 2025/26, which would allow sufficient time to establish an alternative
waste management model.
· The
Green Island Landfill appears to be suitable to be reconsented past the current
consent expiry date of October 2023.
· The
designated alternative site at Smooth Hill appears suitable for the
construction of a waste disposal facility.
· The
Smooth Hill site appears to be suitable for all applicable resource consents.
14 More
detailed work was required to confirm these early findings, along with
estimates of the financial implications. This work was initiated in March 2019
with phase two of the Waste Futures project.
15 Phase
two of the project included five interlinked Workstreams as outlined below:
a) Workstream
1: Detailed Business Case for how a circular economy will work in practice:
i) Develop
a Detailed Business Case to confirm optimal future collections model as well as
the financial / management case for the development of Smooth Hill, to enable
public consultation as part of the 2021-31 10-Year Plan.
b) Workstream
2: Preserve or Extend capacity at Green Island landfill:
i) Investigate
options to preserve or extend the capacity of Green Island landfill, plus
develop contingency plans for exporting waste out of district if required.
c) Workstream
3: Enable development of Smooth Hill:
i) Confirm
the technical suitability of the Smooth Hill site for a Class 1 waste facility,
including all site investigations and information necessary to support a
consent application.
d) Workstream
4: Service continuity:
i) Extend
the timeframes of current collection contracts to ensure service continuity.
e) Workstream
5: project management, communications and engagement.
16 Workstream 1
included a Detailed Business Case to confirm options, levels of service, and
procurement models for future kerbside collections and diverted materials
systems. The report to Infrastructure Services and Networks Committee on
5 August 2019 recommended options for kerbside waste and recycling collections
and resulted in the following Council resolution:
Moved (Cr Christine Garey/Cr
Andrew Whiley):
That the
Committee:
a) Approves the
two kerbside collection options for community feedback:
i)
a wheelie bin for rubbish collection in addition
to the existing recycling system; and
ii)
a wheelie bin for rubbish collection, plus
another wheelie bin for organics collection, in addition to the existing
recycling system.
b) Notes the
preliminary community engagement process, to seek feedback on options, will
occur during the 2020/21 Annual Plan process.
c) Notes
that the results from this preliminary community engagement process will be
used to inform options for full consultation in 2021 as part of the 10 Year
Plan.
Motion carried (INF/2019/033)
17 Workstream
2 included the investigation of options to preserve or extend the capacity of
Green Island landfill, plus develop contingency plans for managing waste if
Green Island landfill capacity is exhausted before Smooth Hill landfill is
operational. The short-listed options are now in the
process of being implemented and it is expected that the Green Island waste
disposal facility could remain in operation until 2025/26 if required.
18 Workstream
3 included detailed work to confirm the suitability of the designated Smooth
Hill site for a Class 1 waste disposal facility, including technical site
investigations and the gathering of all necessary information to complete a
detailed Assessment of Environmental Effects (AEE). Site investigations are now
substantively complete and have confirmed the suitability of the Smooth Hill
site. An AEE is now being prepared for lodgement alongside the consent
applications in mid-2020. The consenting process will be publicly notified and
is expected to take 18 – 24 months to complete.
19 In
order to enable the development of the Smooth Hill site as a Class 1 waste
disposal facility it will be necessary to negotiate with landowners adjoining
the site itself, and in particular McLarens Gully Road, for the purchase of
additional parcels of land. McLarens Gully Road will require re-alignment and
widening, including modifications to the intersection with State Highway 1, in
order to create a suitable approach road and entranceway into the Smooth Hill
site.
OPTIONS
20 As
this is an update report, no options are provided.
NEXT STEPS
21 Work
on phase two of the Waste Futures project will continue to fully develop the
detailed business case on options for DCC’s future waste services
operating model for inclusion in the 2021-31 10-year plan.
22 Implementation
of options for the preservation of capacity at Green Island landfill will
continue.
23 Work
to complete the detailed Assessment of Environmental Effects on Smooth Hill
will continue.
24 The
Resource Management Act 1991 allows any person or organisation to make a
submission on any notified application for resource consent.
25 More
information on the public hearings and submissions process for resource consent
applications is located on the Otago Regional Council website at:
a) https://www.orc.govt.nz/consents/will-my-application-be-notified/hearing-process
b) https://www.orc.govt.nz/consents/will-my-application-be-notified/submissions-process
26
Signatories
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Author:
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Chris Henderson - Group Manager Waste and Environmental
Solutions
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Authoriser:
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Simon Drew - General Manager Infrastructure Services
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Attachments
There are no attachments for
this report.
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SUMMARY OF CONSIDERATIONS
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Fit with purpose
of Local Government
This report relates to providing local infrastructure that
is considered good-quality and cost-effective.
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Fit with strategic
framework
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Contributes
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Detracts
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Not applicable
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Social Wellbeing Strategy
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☒
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☐
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☐
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Economic Development Strategy
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☐
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☐
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☒
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Environment Strategy
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☒
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☐
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☐
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Arts and Culture Strategy
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☐
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☐
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☒
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3 Waters Strategy
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☐
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☐
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☒
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Spatial Plan
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☐
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☐
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☒
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Integrated Transport Strategy
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☐
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☐
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☒
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Parks and Recreation Strategy
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☐
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☐
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☒
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Other strategic projects/policies/plans
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☒
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☐
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☐
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The Waste Futures Project contributes to the Environment
Strategy by enabling a robust evaluation of potential options for Dunedin
City Council to continue to ensure effective reduction and management of
solid waste to achieve the goals set out in its Waste Management and
Minimisation Plan, with appropriate regard given to the goals of the
Emissions Management and Reduction Plan.
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Māori Impact
Statement
Iwi have been identified as a stakeholder and have been
engaged during the Better Business Case options development phase.
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Sustainability
The Waste and Environmental
Solutions activity contributes positively to the environmental interests of
the community through refuse and recycling collection at the kerbside and in
public places, educating and promoting environmentally sustainable behaviour,
and managing landfill and transfer station facilities.
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LTP/Annual Plan /
Financial Strategy /Infrastructure Strategy
The Waste Futures Project is not currently included in
Council’s 10 Year Plan. The Waste Futures Project will be publicly
consulted on during the 2021-2031 10-Year Plan process.
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Financial considerations
Costs for the Waste Futures Project are currently
unbudgeted and will be publicly consulted on during the 2021-2031 10-Year
Plan process.
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Significance
The decision is considered high in terms of the
Council’s Significance and Engagement Policy. Formal decision making
will be part of the 10-year plan process, which will be formally consulted on
using the special consultative process.
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Engagement –
external
External engagement has been undertaken with stakeholders
including Ngai Tahu; ORC; Ministry for the Environment; Otago Chamber of
Commerce; Eunomia; Stantec and Dunedin Airport for the development of
potential future operating models.
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Engagement - internal
Internal engagement is ongoing for the development of
potential future operating models with the Waste Futures Steering Group.
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Risks: Legal /
Health and Safety etc.
Legal advice has been undertaken on the various components
of the waste futures project to ensure statutory compliance and minimisation
of litigation risk.
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Conflict of
Interest
There are no known conflicts of interest.
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Community Boards
Both the current site at Green Island and proposed site at
Smooth Hill are of particular interest to the Saddle Hill and Mosgiel-Taieri
Community Boards. They will each be engaged in the relevant parts in
the process.
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Saddle Hill Community Board
12 March 2020
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Governance Support Officer's Report
Department: Civic
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1 This
report is to inform the Saddle Hill Community Board of activities relevant to
the Board’s area including:
a) Project
Fund
b) Parks
and Reserves Updates
c) Transport
Updates
d) Council
Consultation
e) Otago
Regional Council Consultation
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RECOMMENDATIONS
That the Board:
a) Notes the
Governance Support Officer’s Report
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Project Fund
2 $3,975.80
remains in the Project Fund in the 2019/2020 year. The following funds
have been allocated in the current financial year:
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Meeting
Date
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Recipient
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Amount
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15/8/2019
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Bike
School, mapping of tracks for Fairplay Street Playground
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$1,656.00
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Brighton/Ocean
View Halls Committee – grants for chairs
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$2,000.00
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Taieri
Bloke Shed – Lilliput Library for Westwood
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$100.00
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Fairfield
School – purchase from Carters of plywood for Fairplay Street
playground mural
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$182.00
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7/11/2019
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Fairfield
School – Reimbursement to member for paint purchase from Mitre 10 for
Fairplay Street playground mural
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$422.96
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26/11/2019
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Greenhouse
Florist – flower purchase
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$90.00
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28/11/2019
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Fairfield School –
funding for children to attend Riding for the Disabled
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$500.00
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Christmas on the Domain
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$500.00
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Lilliput Library Paint
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$48.74
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Greater Green Island Annual
Website Subscription
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$25.00
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23/1/2020
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Big Rock School –
Funding towards purchase of a van
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$500.00
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Total
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$6,024.70
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Parks and Reserves
Brighton Surf Life Saving
Reserve Toilets
3 Further
to the request by the Community Board for a spring clean/tidy up, re-roof and
repaint of the toilet and shower block, Parks and Recreation have now completed
this work. Painting (internal and external) was completed prior to
Christmas 2019, and the facility re-roofing was completed on 24 February.
Freedom Camping
4 The
Freedom Camping Monthly report for January 2020 is provided (Attachment
A). The table below provides an overall summary of total volumes,
infringements issues, infringements waived and complaints:
Transport
LED Project
5 The
DCC has started installation of the LED lights at the end of last year in
December 2019. Outlying areas such as Taieri, Saddle Hill and Green Island are
currently having LEDs being installed and is expected to be finished in the
second half of this year. The entire LED streetlight project is due for
completion in early 2021. For more information about the project please visit https://www.dunedin.govt.nz/services/roads-and-footpaths/projects/led-streetlights
Proposed Waldronville
Roundabout
6 The
proposed installation of a roundabout at the junction of Delta Drive, Lancaster
Lane and Vulcan Road has been added to the list of potential small roundabout
sites. The next installation package has not been put together yet and
there is no guarantee that this site will be chosen for the next package
installation.
Scroggs Hill Road –
Centre Line Marking
7 A
speed limit review is currently underway for Scroggs Hill Road. This is
expected to be approved by Council in March 2020 followed by public
consultation in April 2020. Following this and depending on whether a
speed change will be approved, staff will review the markings and signs on
Scroggs Hill Road.
Scroggs Hill Road –
Land Movement
8 It
was reported that a dip in the road had formed, near the junction with Law
Road. Residents believe there has been some land movement to cause this. Work
has now been programmed to install an overlay to fix the slumping on Scroggs
Hill Road below Law Road. Weather permitting, this work should be completed
later this month.
Brighton – Taieri
Mouth Road Laybys
9 Following
a request from the Board, a safety assessment of the 15 laybys between Brighton
and Taieri Mouth has been undertaken. The project is still in its early
stages and a meeting will now be held with DoC and DCC safety representatives
to work through the process of ownership and next steps. The Chair will
be invited to a meeting with DoC and DCC at the appropriate stage.
Ocean View Drainage
10 This
Ocean View ditch is in the watercourse programme. There are currently 40
sites on the prioritised list with this site sitting at equal 11th.
Staff have received a draft preliminary design report from an engineering
consultant and the current action is with the Watercourses Project Manager to
provide comments before they finalise the report.
11 Once
finalised staff will need to go through a formal gateway in which they will
assess the costs vs benefits of continuing with the project. The
discharge at this site is restricted by the level of the sand and tides, and
therefore staff can’t engineer a solution that will improve the area to a
level of service that meets the DCC’s code of subdivision and
development, but it does appear that there are some improvements that can be
made to reduce the levels of flooding.
12 The
progress with finalising the preliminary design report and progressing through
the next gateway. Staff expect this to be complete in about 2-3 months
time.
Brighton Store
13 Staff
arranged for cleaning following damage to the flooring in the convenience store
on Brighton Road, after re-sealing works on the road outside the store.
Community Board Chair Scott Weatherall confirmed he had spoken to the owner of
the Brighton Store and she is comfortable all has been right at the store in
regards to the damage to her floor and the reseal job outside.
Council
Consultations
14 Any
consultations that the Dunedin City Council are consulting on can be found on
the Dunedin City Council website via this link https://www.dunedin.govt.nz/council/currently-consulting-on
15 The
Annual Plan consultation will be open for
approximately 5 weeks, from Thursday 12 March until Wednesday 15 April 2020.
DCC will be sending a consultation document to every Dunedin home, and Annual
Plan information will also be available from service centres and libraries.
Similar to last year, Community Boards will be supplied with engagement packs
and are encouraged to use social media and local networks to generate
engagement. DCC is arranging ‘Councillor Cuppa’ engagement sessions
at the University Link, as well as a drop-in opportunity at the Dunedin Public
Library. Submissions can be made online or in writing, for further information
check www.dunedin.govt.nz/2020AP. Once submissions are closed, hearings where the community
can speak to the Council in person will be scheduled from Monday 4 May to
Wednesday 6 May 2020.
Otago
Regional Council Consultation
16 The
ORC are holding an informal consultation process for the draft 2020-21 Annual
Plan, which will involve inviting feedback from the community and creating
opportunities for verbal submissions to Councillors. A formal
consultation process was not considered needed because the Annual Plan does not
deviate significantly from the Long-Term Plan.
17 The
informal consultation process will involve a consultation booklet available
online or on request in hard copy, supported by an awareness campaign including
community papers throughout the region. https://www.orc.govt.nz/news-and-events/news-and-media-releases/2020/february/orc-proposes-91-general-rates-increase-in-draft-annual-plan
18 People
will be able to submit feedback on the proposed plan between 26 March and 24
April, and hearings will be held between 21 and 26 May.
Signatories
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Author:
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Lynne Adamson - Governance Support Officer
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Attachments
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Title
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Page
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⇩a
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Freedom Camping Report
January 2020
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29
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SUMMARY OF CONSIDERATIONS
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Fit with purpose of Local Government
This decision
enables democratic local decision making and action by, and on behalf of
communities.
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Fit with strategic framework
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Contributes
|
Detracts
|
Not applicable
|
|
Social Wellbeing Strategy
|
☒
|
☐
|
☐
|
|
Economic Development
Strategy
|
☐
|
☐
|
☒
|
|
Environment Strategy
|
☐
|
☐
|
☒
|
|
Arts and Culture Strategy
|
☐
|
☐
|
☒
|
|
3 Waters Strategy
|
☐
|
☐
|
☒
|
|
Spatial Plan
|
☐
|
☐
|
☒
|
|
Integrated Transport
Strategy
|
☐
|
☐
|
☒
|
|
Parks and Recreation
Strategy
|
☐
|
☐
|
☒
|
|
Other strategic
projects/policies/plans
|
☐
|
☐
|
☒
|
|
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Māori Impact Statement
There are no known impacts
for tangata whenua.
|
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Sustainability
There are no implications.
|
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LTP/Annual Plan / Financial Strategy /Infrastructure
Strategy
There are no implications.
|
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Financial considerations
There are no financial
implications.
|
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Significance
This decision is considered
low significance in terms of the Council’s Significance and Engagement
Policy.
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Engagement – external
There has been no external
engagement.
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Engagement - internal
Internal engagement has
occurred with appropriate staff members.
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Risks: Legal / Health and Safety etc.
There are no risks.
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Conflict of Interest
There are no conflicts of
interest.
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Community Boards
There are no implications
for Community Board except to provide information on activities in or
relevant to the Board’s area.
|
