Gore District Mayor Ben Bell will not step down from the waste advisory group (WasteNet) until the three-bins system is in use around the Gore District.
Gore councillor Neville Phillips will eventually take his place on the committee.
At a Wastenet meeting in Gore this week , Mr Bell said he would continue to attend WasteNet meetings until the three bins system was implemented.
"My main intention for being on that committee was to get the three-bins system across the line and we’re almost there," he said.
The three-bins system would allow for the separation of waste into glass, recyclable and non-recyclable bins for street collection.
During his mayoral campaign he advocated heavily for the system.
The plan to implement the system in the district would soon reach the consultation stage, he said.
"The GDC [Gore District Council] will hopefully be consulting on recycling sooner rather than later."
After consultation, the council would liaise with the Gore community to get their feedback on the recycling plan, he said.
"It’s looking pretty optimistic to have a three-bin system not only in Gore, but also across the entire region.
Once that was complete Cr Phillips would occupy Mr Bell’s position.
He would still "keep a foot on the pulse" of recycling at a council level despite leaving the committee, Mr Bell said.
"My priorities have changed just a little bit."
He had been placed on other committees that would occupy his time.
"There’s only 24 hours in a day."
Mr Bell had full confidence that Cr Phillips would fill his role seamlessly.
"Cr Phillips had a real desire to be on that committee so I didn’t want to stand in his way.
Cr Phillips said he looked forward to the challenge of being on the committee.
"I have an avid interest in waste in the district," he said.
Through his role at the council he had already become involved with the Gore Transfer Station, he said.
ben.andrews@odt.co.nz , PIJF cadet reporter
