Dump fees may rise in Marlborough

KIRA CARRINGTON - Local Democracy Reporter

Marlburians may need to buy one less takeaway coffee in the week if they are planning a trip to the dump that weekend. The Marlborough District Council is proposing to increase waste disposal fees in the region with the average load of general waste to cost an extra $6 to drop off.

It will cost an extra $2.40 to dump an average load of green waste under the proposal. The cost of dumping grass clippings is to remain the same. Public consultation on the proposal opens on Monday, and if approved, the cost increases would come in from September 1.

Acting Mayor David Croad said the proposal to increase costs at the region’s transfer stations and at Bluegums Landfill by 18% was in response to external factors and the long-term sustainability of the waste management system.
“Almost half of the increase we are proposing is related to Government requirements that are outside of council’s control,” Croad said.

Croad said the council was being mindful of the amount of waste going into Bluegums Landfill as it neared capacity. In 2022, estimates said the landfill would be full by 2050.

“We are also working hard to prolong the life of the Bluegums Landfill including to reduce the volume of waste going into it. At the same time, we need to plan for the day when the landfill ultimately closes and the ongoing costs associated.

“We do not wish to see additional price increases at this time, but the disposal of waste is not free and whatever we can do to reduce, reuse and recycle is to all our collective benefit.”

Fees for whiteware and E-waste would remain the same for the next 12 months.
Marlborough’s waste services were funded by a user pays system at the Bluegums Landfill and the Blenheim Transfer Station with all other transfer stations funded by a combination of fees and rates.

The council had committed $22 million to waste services in the 2025/26 budget.
Council solid waste manager Mark Lucas said Marlborough had the third lowest overall cost for waste disposal in the South Island.

“The more waste that can be diverted from landfill, the easier it will be on everyone’s pockets,” Lucas said.

“By embracing reuse and recycling, the community not only avoids immediate disposal fees for reusable items but also contributes to a more financially sustainable waste system that protects everyone from the fee increases that inevitably accompany landfill capacity constraints.”

Public consultation opens on May 26 and closes June 6. For more information go to: www.marlborough.govt.nz/your-council/have-your-say-consultations