1.2 Purpose of this waste assessment - Waikato District Council

issues should not therefore drive strategic decisions but should be evaluated across all options, and issuesflagged where the level of risk is likely to require specific management controls or interventions, or where therisks are so great as to override other considerations.In most cases public health issues will be able to be addressed through setting appropriate performancestandards for waste service contracts and ensuring performance is monitored and reported on, and that thereare appropriate structures within the contracts for addressing issues that arise.1.4 The Waikato districtThe Waikato district is situated between Auckland, New Zealand’s largest urban centre, to the north, andHamilton, the fourth largest urban centre, to the south – nearly 40 per cent of New Zealand’s population livewithin 150km of the district. The main transport routes between these centres, State Highway 1 and the maintrunk rail line bisect the Waikato district. As a result of this proximity to major population centres and majortransport corridors, several major waste processing and disposal facilities that serve the wider Auckland andWaikato regions are located within the Waikato district.The major towns in the district include Huntly, Ngaruawahia, Raglan, Te Kauwhata and Tuakau.In November 2010, the Waikato district expanded by approximately 100,000 hectares as a result of boundarychanges when the Auckland Council was formed. The Waikato district absorbed a large part of the formerFranklin district area. The district’s southern boundary with Hamilton City was adjusted in May 2011, with partsof Ruakura and Te Rapa formerly in the Waikato district becoming part of Hamilton City.The population is 69 per cent European and 26 per cent Maori, with Pacific and Asian ethnic groups accountingfor the remainder. The median income in the district is $25,700, slightly over the national average ($24,400).Over half of permanent Waikato residents own their own home – 55.2 per cent, compared to 54.5 per centnationally.The Waikato district has a scenic back-drop of native bush, farmland and west coast beaches. The WaikatoRiver flows through the district and is of great significance to the area – a significance which has been formalisedthrough a Joint Management Agreement between the council and Waikato-Tainui.The dairy industry is significant to the local economy in the area, with one of Fonterra’s largest sites beinglocated at Te Rapa (this site is now within the boundaries of Hamilton City). The second most importantindustry is mining – with both coal mining and aggregate and sand extraction being significant industries in thedistrict. In addition the district relies on industry, education, adventure tourism and events.Waikato District Council waste assessment 20119