Wastebusters is bursting at the seams as record numbers of visitors and reuse drop-offs flood into the enterprise in Ballantyne Rd this summer.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council’s recent acquisition of a 8.3ha section next door is presenting a fabulous opportunity to dream about developing the facility founded in 2001.
Twenty-three years ago, the Wānaka-Upper Clutha population was 3300 and the pioneering recycling centre was the talk of the town.
Now that the population is 17,820 and speedily approaching 20,000, the role of "Wasties" in reducing waste feels more critical than ever before.
"Wastebusters’ site already is too small for our growing population, and we need a larger site to keep our visitors and Wastebusters team safe.
"We’re looking at all options to secure more land, so that we can build an even more fabulous destination that Wānaka and our wider district can be proud of."
"Wasties" has twice been voted the best shop in Wānaka, while its staff of 60 has become known as a bit of a creative melting pot — whether looking for materials to make things with, leadership when it comes to cleanups, a business consultant on a community project — or even someone to perform in a local show.
Despite the recent challenges of Covid, the closure of the financially struggling Alexandra Wastebusters facility, and global economic conditions pushing commodity prices down, Wānaka Wastebusters managed to emerge with a $26,000 surplus in the financial year to July.
Last year Wastebusters committed to becoming "a more fabulous destination", and work towards something "upgraded, beautiful and fit for purpose".
Now, it is starting a community conversation: what could Wastebusters look like?
Ms Dempster said Wastebusters’ plan was to invest in building a new zero-waste hub in Wānaka to showcase circular resource use and community creativity and craftsmanship.
"Our goal is to create a truly inspirational environmental education and action centre for the district — housed in a sustainable building which demonstrates our values of resourcefulness and repurposing."
Once a larger site was sorted, Wastebusters was keen to get the community’s input on the next stage before plans for the new hub were finalised, she said.
"We have so many ideas, from a repair alley to a zero-waste cafe and an environmental education centre. We’d love to hear what most excites our community, so we can build an all-time fabulous destination that even more people love to visit."
The focus was also on keeping everyone safe.
"We are asking everyone to be alert for vehicles and forklifts while they’re on site, and to keep their children close, especially outside in the yard."
Last week, the council began building a new roundabout at the intersection of Ballantyne and Riverbank Rds.
Ms Dempster said this project would make it safer to get to Wasties by both car and bike, and that so far it had not created too many issues for customers.
"There is lots of alternative parking in place while the roadworks are happening, and the traffic has been flowing really well," she said.
Wastebusters is a charitable trust and employs 60 staff.
— Email us your fabulous ideas for Wasties and the Wānaka Sun will endeavour to publish them. Letters should be no more than 250 words. Fabulous illustrations very welcome. marjorie.cook@alliedpress.co.nz.
