Hauraki mayor Toby Adams said the council want those who use the tip to cover as much of the operating costs as possible. Photo: 123rf
Hauraki District ratepayers are subsidising out of district rubbish dumpers who are offloading their waste at the Waihi tip because it's cheaper.
About half the people dropping rubbish at the tip don't pay rates in the district, and the council has had enough as it is costing local ratepayers about $600,000 a year.
Hauraki mayor Toby Adams told Checkpoint it has been going on for some time.
"We've tried to reach out to those neighbouring councils from where those people are travelling from to see if they're willing to chip in for their ratepayers dumping their rubbish in our area, and their budgets are too tight. So we've had to take some measures to make sure our ratepayers aren't subsidising anymore."
Adams said he had heard of people coming from as far away as Tauranga, which is over 60km away.
While the tip is cheaper than those in surrounding areas, Adams said the council wanted those who used the tip to cover as much of the operating costs as possible, but there needed to be a ratepayer component so everyone could have access to the tip.
So the council have come up with ways to catch those out of towners using the tip and getting them to pay more than locals.
"We're putting some fancy technology with weighbridges to make it more accurate. So you're paying for what you're dumping rather than guesswork.
"It's got number plate recognition, so it recognises you as you drive through.
"If people come in with their rates account or proof of address that they live in the district, it'll give them the automatic discount. So they're paying the slightly less rate and we're charging more for those that are out of town."
Adams said locals would pay about $25 less a tonne.
The Hauraki District has asked its neighbouring councils for extra money to cover the costs in the past, and Adams believes this new system will help those using the dump pay their fair share.
Adams said the reaction from Hauraki District locals had been positive.
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