Additional government funding boosts resource recovery centre project
South Taranaki District Council’s Environment and Sustainability Manager Cindy Koen, South Taranaki District Mayor Phil Nixon and Whanganui MP Carl Bates standing at the site of the future resource recovery centre on Scott Street, Hāwera.
South Taranaki District Mayor Phil Nixon has welcomed the announcement that Council will receive an additional $260,000 from the Government's national Waste Minimisation Fund to support the development of a new resource recovery centre in Hāwera.
The funding was announced on Tuesday (11 August) by Whanganui MP Carl Bates and will help accelerate a project that has long been identified as a key part of Council's waste minimisation strategy.
The resource recovery centre will accept and sort materials that can be reused, repaired, recycled, and repurposed, including construction and demolition materials, household goods, timber, pipes, e-waste, and other reusable resources. By recovering valuable materials before they reach landfill, the facility will support a more circular economy and help reduce waste across South Taranaki.
Mayor Nixon says Council had already accessed $312,000 towards the project from its waste disposal levy fund and was pleased to receive additional Government support for an initiative that would deliver both environmental and community benefits.
"The resource recovery centre is much more than a waste facility. It's a practical investment in reducing waste and making better use of the resources our community already has," says Mayor Phil.
"By supporting resource recovery, reuse, repair, and recycling, the centre will help extend the life of products and materials, reduce the environmental impacts associated with waste disposal, and create new opportunities for people to access affordable, reusable goods."
Mayor Nixon says the funding announcement was an important milestone for a project that aligns strongly with Council's long-term vision for waste reduction and environmental sustainability.
"We're grateful for the Government's support and we’re excited to move this project forward. The resource recovery centre will play an important role in helping South Taranaki reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill while encouraging smarter use of valuable resources."
With the funding now confirmed, Council will move ahead finalising the facility's design for construction next to the Hāwera Transfer Station on Scott Street, with construction expected to be complete by the end of 2026.
