The Dunedin City Council (DCC) and the University of Otago are investigating and preparing the initial procedure to increase the frequency of rubbish collection in North Dunedin to improve the campus’ street cleanliness.
According to the meeting minutes from a 30 August 2016 meeting of the Infrastructural Services Committee, “the University has identified that some funding is available for additional kerbside collections and street cleaning in the University Area.”
However, the project will not be implemented anytime soon with the University planning on engaging a consultant to work on this project and briefs to be compiled, which will define the problem and scope of improvements.
Despite this, “staff will propose a three month trial of an additional Clean Street Collection Service to remove all visible mess from streets in the Campus area”, the minutes state. The project has been specified as one of the council’s ‘areas of focus for the next quarter’, with early next year being a potential timeframe in which to expect its implementation.
The reason for the proposed project is apparently that several University stakeholders have expressed concerns about the cleanliness of streets in the student area, which prompted action. One potential part of the scheme that has been identified in the meeting minutes are “educational initiatives that promote waste minimisation aimed at improving street cleanliness in the campus area”, although at this stage the organisations are unable to provide specifics.
Property Services Director Barry MacKay said, “the process will largely be driven by staff from the University and DCC, with input from other interested parties such as OUSA. We are considering using a consultant to assist us with independent ideas and review, but this would be relatively minor work and within existing budgets.”
He continued: “The intention is that cleaner streets will provide a wide range of benefits to the local community, of which supporting good behaviour would only be one aspect.”