Introduction
The Solid Waste Management and Minimisation Bylaw (2020) was introduced by Wellington City Council with effect from 25 January 2021.
Under the bylaw new Multi-Unit Developments (MUDs), with 10 or more residential units, need to submit a MUD Waste Management and Minimisation Plan (MUD waste plan) before construction starts.
There needs to be suitable storage areas for waste and recycling built on-site. Following the MUD waste plan will mean access for both residents and waste collectors has been properly considered. Residents can have separate bins for recycling, rubbish, and food waste. Rubbish chutes should not be used, as all waste ends up in the same bin.
The pages in this section outline the regulatory requirements of the bylaw and provide guidance on how to meet those requirements. They are a planning resource for developers and building managers/owners designing or renovating MUDs, and outline what information needs to be provided to the Council and at what stage of the construction process.
Definition of a Multi-Unit Development
A Multi-Unit Development (MUD) is a multiple tenancy property comprising of 10 or more separately occupied residential units, whether in the same building or in separate buildings, and held either in common ownership or in separate ownership.
This includes a unit title development, a mixed use premises with business activities, and any development with controlled or restricted access, such as a gated community.
Find out if you need a MUD waste plan
You need a MUD waste plan if you are building a multiple tenancy property of 10 or more separately occupied residential units, whether in the same building or in separate buildings, owned jointly or separately.
This includes a unit title development, a mixed-use premises with business activities (i.e. an office building), and any development with controlled or restricted access, such as a gated community or a private access road.
New MUDs (or change of use of an existing building into a MUD)
All new MUDs are now required to have a MUD Waste Management and Minimisation Plan.
The plan must be submitted by the owner or manager of the MUD, and needs to be approved by the Council prior to the commencement of any building work.
Existing MUDs
All Wellington City residents are required to dispose of discard material in line with the requirements set out in Clause 8 of the Solid Waste Management and Minimisation Bylaw (2020).
If, for any reason, occupiers of existing MUDs are unable to do this, the MUD owner or manager will be required to submit a MUD Waste Management and Minimisation Plan to the Council. This must be done within three months of receiving a notification from the Council that a plan is required.
A list of specific requirements for new MUDs is included in Clause 12 of the Solid Waste Management and Minimisation Bylaw (2020).
Breakdown of a MUD waste plan
For a waste plan there are three stages:
- Design Stage: Consider waste storage and servicing at design stage i.e. before finalising design layout plans (ideally before lodging a Resource Consent application)
- Application Stage: We will provide the MUD waste plan documents to you once the resource consent has been lodged. The MUD waste plan should be submitted before the resource consent is granted to avoid costly and time-consuming site layout changes.
- Operations Stage: Within three months of the building being occupied, a MUD Waste Operations assessment will be completed on-site with the person responsible for managing waste for the MUD. (This will only be done where there is a communal waste storage area).
Waste plan exemptions
In accordance with Clause 12 of the Solid Waste Management and Minimisation Bylaw (2020), the Council may, on application, grant a written exemption from compliance with all or any of the requirements of this clause if:
- In the opinion of the Council, the costs of full compliance would be disproportionate to any resulting waste management and minimisation benefits; and/or
- The owner and/or the manager demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Council that recyclable material, organic waste and other wastes are separately and regularly collected.
If you have any questions, email us at wasteplans@wcc.govt.nz