The Council’s first online survey has proved a valuable tool for feedback, Queenstown Lakes District Council Mayor Vanessa van Uden said.

The Council carried out its first online survey ‘Waste 2010’ for a period of four weeks during November and December 2010. 

“The purpose of the survey was to seek feedback from the public about the current and future waste services provided in the district and to think particularly about affordability, sustainability, value for money and changing markets,’ she said.

Moving to a survey on line had proved a popular medium for what is traditionally a subject poorly subscribed to, QLDC solid waste manager Stefan Borowy said.

The Council had received 191 responses in total. 183 people filled in the survey and comment form while 8 people chose to submit comments only.

“This is an extremely pleasing response on the issues and more importantly it has given us some essential feedback. We are very grateful to all those members of our community who took part,” Mr Borowy said.

While the Council would have liked more people to participate, the survey had been widely promoted.

“With the amount of website traffic the Council receives and the prominence and publicity given the survey we are comfortable that we heard from those that wanted to have a say on the subject,” he said.

The results:

• 174 out of 183 or 95% want the kerbside recycling services to continue.
• 153 out of 183 or 84% want the current rubbish service options to continue.
• 80 out of 183 or 44% believe there are other options Council could consider:
“Respondents seemed to favour systems that provided encouragement or incentives for those who keep their waste levels to a minimum while passing the majority of the cost on to those who produced greater quantities of waste,” he said.

• 83 out of 183 or 45% believe Council should introduce a kerbside organic collection service
• 74 out of 183 or 40% believe the Council should not introduce a kerbside organic collection service
“There was a very strong theme in the comments regarding kerbside organic collection that if introduced it should be a fully user pays system as many respondents already carry out their own composting at home.”

• 124 out of 183 or 68% believe the current services offered to rural communities should stay the same.
• 160 out of 183 or 87% believe Council should try to extend the life of the landfill through diversion targets.
• 135 out of 183 or 74% support the services offered to downtown retailers to keep the streets looking good
• 69 out of 183 or 38% believe Queenstown streets are looking better.
“Many respondents believed that CBD businesses were not adhering to the guidelines around collection times and suggested increased enforcement by Council to have the streets looking better,” he said.

The results of the waste survey would be incorporated into the review of the waste management strategy and development of the new solid waste bylaw currently being carried out with the assistance of the solid waste working party. 

ENDS
For further information please contact Stefan Borowy 03 441 0499.

By: Andrea Bunting