Whakatāne District Council and Ecocast Limited are offering the opportunity for interested community members to take part in a site visit to Ecocast’s Kawerau-based composting facility, which currently processes the Whakatāne District’s greenwaste.

The site visit, which will take place from 9 am to 12 pm on Friday, 2 August 2013, is part of the Council’s pre-consultation with the community with regard to its proposal to establish a new greenwaste processing facility at Keepa Road. If that proposal does proceed, it would involve a full resource consent and consultation process.

Whakatāne District Council Manager Solid Waste, Hanno van der Merwe, says the visit will enable anyone with concerns to see a greenwaste processing facility in action and make informed judgements about the Council’s proposed facility.

“Ecocast Limited’s Kawerau composting site has operated successfully for the last two years,” Dr van der Merwe says. “During that time, it has completed successful garden waste and food waste composting trials, achieved 100 percent resource consent compliance, and had no complaints relating to odour nuisance or vermin.”

Dr van der Merwe says Council has reached an agreement with Ecocast Ltd to support and help fund the development of the proposed new facility and assist in establishing its operation. “Ecocast Ltd will provide technical expertise to support the design of the facility, write the operational management plan and commission the operation.”

Transport for the site visit will be provided by Whakatāne District Council. Limited spaces are available, so anyone interested in participating will need to register with the Whakatāne District Council by calling 07 306 0500 or emailing info@whakatane.govt.nz.