Sign In / Register
Waste Management New Zealand (WM) launched the second round of consultation on the future of Redvale Landfill and Energy Park at a well-attended public meeting in Dairy Flat on August 13. It follows an earlier round of consultation. (Hibiscus Matters, June 16, 2025).
Based on feedback, technical analysis and expert advice, WM said it believes the most realistic and cost-effective short-term approach is to use existing infrastructure by temporarily rebalancing waste volumes between Redvale and Whitford landfills.
Despite this, community members speaking at the meeting remained opposed to Redvale continuing beyond the end of its current consent, citing ongoing odour, traffic and noise as their main concerns. Many noted the long-term impact the landfill had had on their lives and disappointment that the promised end of the consent continued to be changed. WM representatives said they understood the concerns and were open to working with residents to find ways of reducing odour and using its “betterment” fund to improve the community during this time.
At the meeting, three options were outlined: to continue using Redvale, redirect all waste to Whitford, or split volumes between the two sites. The split option was divided into four variations, based on waste source and volume. Each option will be assessed against criteria such as community impact, traffic, emissions, cost, and system resilience. WM also proposed community initiatives, via a “betterment”, fund to affected areas.
Redvale, consented as a Class 1 landfill, takes about 600,000 tonnes of waste each year. Around 400,000 tonnes go to Class 1 landfill, which accepts residual household, business and commercial waste, often containing organic material that breaks down and generates odour. The remaining 200,000 tonnes go to Class 2 landfill, which accepts non-putrescible construction and demolition materials such as timber, bricks and concrete.
Whitford Landfill is owned and operated by Waste Disposal Services, a joint venture between Auckland Council and WM. It is consented as a Class 1 landfill with a limit of 350,000 tonnes per year and a daily truck movement cap of 155, based on a 12-month rolling average. It currently takes about 250,000 tonnes annually, and its consent runs through to 2041.
Other sites, including Hampton Downs, GRP Landfill at Pukemiro near Huntly, and the Northland Regional Landfill near Whangārei, were considered earlier but excluded from this round due to cost, consent limits, logistics, and ownership. WM said, however, they may still be considered as options in the future.
WM said it currently views continued use of Redvale as the most workable option, as it reduces transport distance, minimises environmental impact, avoids major infrastructure changes, requires only one new consenting process, and keeps services reliable while long-term plans are developed.
Submissions on this round of consultation close on August 29. WM will then review feedback and release findings on September 12. More information is available at wm.nz/consultation.
