Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) has released its draft Waste Management and Minimisation Plan (WMMP) and it is asking the community to have its say.

The draft WMMP outlines a bold vision to move together towards zero waste and a circular economy, QLDC said, focusing on an approach that avoids waste altogether by changing behaviours, or manages waste and used materials better with the right tools, services, and facilities. 

As part of developing the draft, QLDC hosted stakeholder workshops and a public webinar in September 2024, input from which helped shape the priorities and actions outlined in the plan.  

“We’ve worked with key groups in our community to shape a new direction for how we respond to the waste challenges in our district,” QLDC infrastructure committee chair and councillor Gavin Bartlett said.

“Council has an important part to play in leading this work, but minimising our waste will require our community to work together, collaborating on opportunities and making change happen." 

Changing the story of how our district’s waste is minimised or managed relies on working together on innovative but achievable solutions, QLDC strategy planning manager Sophie Mander said. 

“This WMMP is a draft, and we invite everyone to provide feedback on whether you think these are the right actions to take, together.”

The plan, which outlines how the district will manage and reduce waste, is updated every six years under the Waste Minimisation Act 2008.

Since the 2018 plan was adopted, progress has included a new three-bin kerbside collection service, boosted public education, the introduction of community composting hubs and the annual Waste Minimisation Community Fund, and a commitment to a future kerbside organics collection.

Partnerships with local organisations including Wastebusters, Sustainable Queenstown, and Wao have also been key to helping reduce waste, Sophie said.  

“Progress has been made, but there’s still a long way to go,” she said. “This is a crucial opportunity for the community to help us define the next chapter.” 

Find more information and to have your say on QLDC’s draft WWMP here. 

PHOTO: Wānaka App