Bins’ removal to cost $12k; $40k annual servicing costs to be saved

Land Information New Zealand  is removing 29 rubbish bins like this one from public spaces beside...
Land Information New Zealand is removing 29 rubbish bins like this one from public spaces beside Lake Dunstan. PHOTO: KIM BOWDEN
It will cost $12,000 to remove 29 rubbish bins from public spaces beside Lake Dunstan but once they are gone, $40,000 a year will be saved by not having to empty them.

The move to retire the distinctive pebbled concrete bins, found at Lowburn, Bannockburn and McNulty Inlets as well as other common rest spots around the lake, was made by Land Information New Zealand (Linz), which is charged with looking after the lakeside land in and around Cromwell.

Linz spokesman Lee Farnhill, who provided the figures, said feedback from contractors revealed some of the bins were being used more consistently than others, forcing Linz to reassess whether maintaining and servicing them all was "using taxpayer money responsibly".

Meanwhile, bins would continue to be provided at well-used freedom camping sites around the lake, including at Lowburn.

"We know from visitor numbers that these are our most popular sites, and we have occasionally received complaints in the past about bins being full during the busy summer season, despite being emptied twice a day," Mr Farnhill said.

His message to lake users in other areas was to adopt a "pack-in, pack-out approach", taking their rubbish with them "to preserve the natural beauty of these shared spaces".

However, Cromwell resident Helen Wekking said while that approach might work in an ideal world, it was her view "we don’t live in an ideal world".

Ms Wekking is one of a number of lake users who have taken to Facebook this week to express their dismay at the removal of the bins.

She said she walked a few kilometres there and back on a lakeside track from her home most days, and often picked up rubbish dumped by other people along the way.

Whether it was empty bottles or used wet wipes, the rubbish could be difficult to carry for too long or just plain "yuck", she said.

"But, I thought, ‘don’t just moan about it — do something about it’, so I regularly pick up rubbish and I’ve always used that bin at McNulty Inlet."

The bin used by Ms Wekking near the public toilets beside the boat ramp is one of the ones to go.

Ms Wekking said that she had contacted Linz to voice her concerns.