20 April 2022
All waste recovery for the Hawke’s Bay region is now being coordinated by a taskforce led by Hawke’s Bay Regional Council (HBRC) for rural areas, and the district councils for the urban areas. If you need flood waste collected –whether its silt, flood damaged household goods, wood waste, or posts; please call 0800 108 838 and press 2. Your job will be logged with the taskforce through HBRC. Alternatively fill out the online form here
Below is more information about about each different type of waste that can be collected, and also what can currently be burnt:
Silt
You will be asked when you ring to classify your silt as one of the following types, as the different types of silt go to different locations. Please identify you silt as one or more of the following:
Clean silt – does not contain solid items, and comes from relatively clean areas (ie. not around septic tanks or spray sheds)
Mixed silt – contains small amount of litter (e.g. small toys, food waste) and crops affected by the flood (e.g. apples and onions)
Contaminated silt – may have contaminants mixed through it, e.g. septic tank material, diesel, chemicals
Woody silt – silt mixed with quantities of timber and other storm-related debris like fence posts and trees
If you can estimate the volume of silt you have that would be helpful too (particularly if you have more than one type).
Once you have lodged your request, an assessor will visit your property – hopefully within 3 working days. Your job will then be able to be scheduled for collection. They will try and let you know which day your silt will be picked up.
Silt needs to be piled up, as close as possible to the front of your property in a location that is accessible by truck, but away from drains and gutters for collection.
Six silt collection zones have been developed across the region. Each zone has dedicated contractors who will collect silt, and also any remaining flood-damaged household items.
If you have a relationship with a contractor, it may be possible to have that contractor access one of the deposit sites directly – please ring the 0800 number to discuss – Council is working with Insurance Council NZ and EQC to release an authorised contractor listing.
Find out more about silt and the taskforce on the Regional Council’s website:
Posts and Wire
If you have large quantities of vineyard and orchard posts damaged in the flood (which may still have wire attached), the taskforce can also collect these, and will work to separate and recycle what they can. Please call 0800 108 838 and press 2 to speak to someone about this.
Wood Waste
If you have big quantities of wood waste, you can also get assistance to remove this – call 0800 108 838 and press 2 to speak to someone about waste collection. The wood waste would need to be piled up in one or two locations that are accessible by truck. The recovery taskforce is working with HB Forestry Group, and local contractors to investigate options to manage wood waste onsite where possible, or move offsite.
Burning
At the moment, you can also burn dry wood waste as long as:
Wind conditions are suitable (not too strong, but also not calm)
There are no prohibited materials in the fire – this includes treated (tanalised) timber/posts, plastic (including irrigation tubing) and coated wire. A full list of prohibited items is available here:
The fire does not cause any problems beyond the boundary of your property e.g. smoke to drift across roads, or towards the Napier or Hastings Airsheds; ash or odour to drift off your property
You have notified Fire and Emergency if your fire is going to be burning at night – email hawkesbay@fireandemergency.nz
The fire is controlled and attended to at all times
The burn pile is located well away from any flammable material, vegetation, fences, buildings, substations and powerlines
Appropriate extinguishing equipment is available at all times, until the fire is completely extinguished with water.
Fire and Emergency has a great tool on its website that helps you check whether or not it is safe to light a fire. Find it here
You are strongly encouraged to use experienced burn contractors to manage fires to ensure that they are well-managed and burn as quickly and cleanly as possible.
From 1 May to 31 August no fires are allowed within the Napier and Hastings Airsheds – you can use the map on this page to check if your property is within either airshed.
Questions/Further Advice
Any questions, please contact Charlotte Drury from HortNZ: 027 3225595 or Charlotte.Drury@hortnz.co.nz
