But on May 7, the council announced the service would be delayed, with no revised timeline, because of supply issues.<\/p>\n
The global supply of oil has been constrained since the beginning of the Iran war in February.<\/p>\n
The subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global shipping lane, and other factors, led to a worldwide shortage of high-density polyethelene (HDPE), the versatile polymer from which Rotorua\u2019s new bins were to be made.<\/p>\n
Rotorua’s current yellow and red bins. Photo \/ Ben Fraser<\/p>\n
With those materials in short supply, the council said, its proposed New Zealand-based supplier, Sulo, could not manufacture the bins yet.<\/p>\n
The council\u2019s infrastructure and assets group manager, Stavros Michael, told Local Democracy Reporting that \u201cno bins have been produced\u201d yet.<\/p>\n
Michael said the council was first advised that the planned timeline was \u201cat risk\u201d on March 30.<\/p>\n
On April 23, the council was told the HDPE shortage would mean the bins could not be supplied in time. <\/p>\n
Michael said \u201cpossible alternative options\u201d were now being assessed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis includes other suppliers and revised timeframes, which will be carefully considered to ensure value for money and the best outcome for the community,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The delay was due to factors \u201coutside of the council\u2019s direct control\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the time contracts were agreed, supply chains were operating normally,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo issues were or could be anticipated.\u201d<\/p>\n
An update on revised plans for Rotorua\u2019s Fogo rollout would be provided once alternative options had been assessed.<\/p>\n
Petition and pushback<\/p>\n
The new bin system was already receiving pushback from some members of the community.<\/p>\n
In March, the council received a petition of nearly 4600 signatures opposing it.<\/p>\n
Councillor Karen Barker confirmed in Wednesday\u2019s council infrastructure meeting that the petition organiser, Vanessa Harvey, did not wish to speak in the public forum.<\/p>\n
Harvey wrote in her letter to the council that the petition highlighted \u201ccommunity concern\u201d regarding the proposed changes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe respectfully ask the council to reconsider,\u201d she stated.<\/p>\n
She outlined three key reasons for the concerns: the accumulation and overflow of household rubbish with less frequent collections, pest issues, and an increase in illegal dumping of waste.<\/p>\n
Rotorua councillor Robert Lee has vocally opposed the changes and voted against them in 2022.<\/p>\n
Rotorua Lakes councillor Robert Lee is against the bin changes. Photo \/ Laura Smith<\/p>\n
He compared it to watching a \u201cslow-moving train wreck\u201d.<\/p>\n
He criticised the council\u2019s 2022 community consultation, saying a second feedback round should have been held once a two-weekly rubbish collection was confirmed as part of the proposal.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt seems, judging by the recent petition, that many people are not on board.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lee pointed to the Government\u2019s December decision to scrap mandatory kerbside composting as evidence that Rotorua\u2019s change was unjustified.<\/p>\n
The council has said the move is necessary to reduce landfill, with Rotorua\u2019s facility closing in 2018 and waste currently transported to the Tirohia Landfill in Waikato.<\/p>\n