5.4 Where to from here?

The Regional Council will continue to operate the drop-off points at four PGG Wrightson stores in Northland and will carry out mobile collections as required. Waste hazardous substances that can not be recycled, treated and/or disposed of in NZ will continue to be exported.

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is currently drafting legislation to include hazardous waste within the HSNO rules.

New Zealand Waste Strategy

In March 2002, the Government released ‘The New Zealand Waste Strategy' (MFE 2002). The Strategy contains national targets for contaminated sites.

Targets for contaminated sites

· By December 2008, all sites on the HAIL list will have been identified and 50 percent will have been subject to a rapid screening system in accordance with the Ministry for the Environment (MFE) Guidelines.

· By December 2010, all sites on the HAIL list will have been subject to a rapid screening system in accordance with the MFE Guidelines, and a remediation programme will have been developed for those at high risk.

· By December 2015, all high-risk contaminated sites will have been managed or remediated. A timeframe will also have been developed to address the management of or remediation of remaining sites.

In line with this strategy the Council is currently working on upgrading the database of sites that have been identified so far. The next step in the workplan is to run all identified sites through the rapid screening system.