Recycling Decision Will Have to Wait

If you’ve been on tenterhooks about what will come of the Wastenet saga, then you are going to have to wait a little longer. The decision on who will take over the Southland recycling contract will not be made until October and will be one of the first things the newly-elected Invercargill City Council tackle on the agenda.

The decision to wait was made on the back of a similar decision by Queenstown Lakes District Council regarding their airport plans. Chief executive Clare Hadley said from that council’s legal advice; she had decided to leave the recycling contract off the agenda of the final meeting of the term on Tuesday.

Currently, Southland District Council, Gore District Council, and Invercargill City Council are split on the issue. Gore and Southland voted in favour of Smart Environmental, Wastenet’s preferred provider. Invercargill, on the other hand, largely sided with Southland disAbility Enterprises that currently holds the contract and employs people with disabilities.

All councils must agree before action can be taken. They could either give Smart Environmental the contract or end the process altogether.