KEY POINTS:
A big turnout of Devonport residents is expected for tomorrow night's debate over the threatened closure of the area's refuse transfer station - home of the country's first recycling operation.
The North Shore City Council is reviewing the future of the station after the operator's contract runs out in June.
A council report says $500,000 is needed to make the station meet Auckland Regional Council requirements for management of drainage, dust, noise and air discharges.
The report questions why rates from all over the city should pay to keep a facility which benefits only Devonport.
The station handles only 1 per cent of city waste, and the report says that since the 1980s alternatives have appeared - the Constellation Drive Transfer Station in Albany and a wide variety of household and commercial recycling and waste services.
But Devonport Community Board chairman Mike Cohen said: "People feel strongly about it and we are waiting to be convinced."
The board is transferring its meeting from the old council chamber to the RSA clubrooms in Victoria Rd so more people can attend its debate on the matter at 7pm tomorrow.
"The council's using arguments like, nowhere else has a transfer station so why should Devonport have one?," said Mr Cohen.
"It's small but it collects 3800 tonnes of stuff a year.
"If all that is to be trooped up Lake Rd to Albany, you are adding to the congestion problem."
Mr Cohen said the important question was: "Should councils provide a service to their community?"
