Flood damaged items collection in full swing

One of the industrial shredders in action at Ōmarunui Landfill.

Crews collecting and disposing of flood damaged household items after Cyclone Gabrielle are working their way around the district as quickly as possible.

The collection work is underway as road and drain clearing and the removal of fallen trees and other cyclone debris continues.

“Cleaning up after Cyclone Gabrielle is a huge job,” said Hastings District Council group manager asset management Craig Thew.

“For example, over the last week, Ōmarunui Landfill has received on average 400 tonnes a day of flood damaged waste.”

Flood damaged household items are picked up from the impacted areas and either taken to a temporary processing site or to the landfill. Whiteware and other metals are removed as much as possible, after which all of the material is processed through an industrial shredder before being disposed of at the landfill.

There are a number of logistical challenges, both with collection and disposal, said Mr Thew.

“Traffic congestion across the region and people being unable to return to their properties to clear items out for collection and disposal have been big factors.”

Mr Thew acknowledged it could be frustrating waiting for the waste to be collected and thanked the community for their patience.

“In total we have six different contracting companies with 16 trucks working around Hastings district to get this job done as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

Since the process started the team had completed a round of collections in Haumoana, Joll Road, Ōmāhu and Waiohiki. As of this week, collections continued or started in Whirinaki, Ōmāhu, Fernhill, Pakowhai, Twyford, Puketapu South, Esk Valley, Tangoio, Hastings, Havelock North (urban) and Puketapu North.

Mr Thew said residents should not worry that their area had been missed, or that they had missed the collection in their area.

“The household flood damaged goods will be collected, and we will give notice prior to this initiative coming to an end. I do encourage residents to jump online and share details about their damaged items as soon as they can. In some areas, particularly where we have already done a main collection, we are looking at sending out flexi bins for communities to put flood damaged household items in.”

Residents whose home, car, or contents have been damaged by the severe weather, should take photos before removing or repairing anything and report the damage to their insurance company as soon as possible.

For more information on the flood damaged household items collection visit www.hastingsdc.govt.nz/floodcollection

Those without internet access can call the customer service team on 06 871 5000 or drop in and see their local community hub to register their details.

10 March 2023

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