Media Response: Mahurangi Matters

Answers to questions

1. Does WM consider moving the bulk of the rubbish by rail a practical
option? Has it done its own investigations into rail?

Waste Management has had discussions with Kiwirail regarding waste by rail for the proposed landfill. Currently, infrastructure will not enable movement of waste by rail. That said, Kiwirail have agreed there is potential for waste by rail if infrastructure is upgraded. This may happen should the relocation of the Ports of Auckland to Northport occur, as that would also require the local Wellsford transfer infrastructure to be upgraded.

Waste Management have previously trialled waste by rail from
Thames/Coromandel to Redvale Landfill and Energy Park. In addition, we
considered expanding this to regional areas, including Gisborne, New Plymouth and others. Unfortunately, it was not viable for various reasons.
Therefore, at present we are proposing transport by road for the proposed landfill supported by the use of a bin exchange area.
If waste by rail becomes available in the future, Waste Management would
consider it as an option.

2. Assuming the rail proposal has merit, is the MERRA proposal a workable one or would it need substantial modification? Would it be possible to have a rail line take rubbish directly to the landfill site?

Waste Management has read the MERRA proposal and also met with MERRA to further discuss the concept of waste by rail for the proposed Auckland Regional Landfill.

If Kiwirail determined progress with new infrastructure, waste by rail is an option Waste Management would consider. At this stage, though, while there is considerable uncertainty regarding this option, Waste Management’s consent application must be based on the current transport options available. We will continue to maintain flexibility to consider rail in future if and when it is available.

3. Has WM made its own representations to the North Island Supply Chain working group on possible rail options?

We have recently contacted the Upper North Island Supply Chain Strategy
Working Group but have not met with them to date. We look forward to and
would welcome the opportunity to meet with them to discuss this matter further.

4. Any idea when WM will submit a resource consent application for the landfill to Council?

We are continuing work on our application, and are aiming to lodge with Auckland Council in April.

As per the consenting process, once council receives our application they will
seek advice from their technical experts to ensure the application has all the
information that is required. Once this stage is complete, council will notify the public.

As we have done throughout this process, we will be notifying the community
through our website and our email updates when we do lodge our consent
application. We will also advise notification dates once these are known.

Anyoneinterested in the landfill is welcome to register for these updates on our website at wastemanagement.co.nz/arl