Reprieve for recycle station

Devonport's pioneer recycling and composting station has been granted a two-year reprieve as a result of community response to a threat of closure.

Operator Living Earth's contract to handle refuse at the Lake Rd reserve has been extended to June 2011 by North Shore City Council.

"We are happy with that breathing space to do further work on recycling and its benefits," said Devonport Community Board chairman Mike Cohen.

Residents made 10,362 drop-offs at the refuse transfer station last year.

In February, the council wanted to close it, saying it would cost $500,000 to bring up to a standard to get a discharge-to-air consent from the Auckland Regional Council.

"We felt there had been no consultation," said Mr Cohen.

"The council put it through the community board and at a well attended board meeting we were able to get good input from people with a wealth of knowledge.

Mr Cohen said the station saves residents driving a 24km round trip to Albany.

Council works chairman Ken McKay said the review showed air discharge requirements could be met by reducing the amount of refuse held on site.

Living Earth has had two refuse bins on the site holding a total of 60cu m at a time. It won't need an air discharge permit if it has one bin at a time.