Rubbish charges delayed

The system was expected to be rolled out this year, but now the council say a region-wide user-pays system is at least three years away. Photo / Supplied

Auckland Council's plan to charge all ratepayers each time rubbish bins are collected has been delayed.

The council has wanted to introduce a region-wide "pay-as-you-throw" rubbish system for more than a year.

Residents in Papakura, Franklin, the North Shore and Waitakere pay $1.50 for a pre-paid 40-litre rubbish ban and $1.95 for a 60-litre bag.

Rubbish collection in central and south Auckland is covered by rates.

The new system would feature microchipped wheelie bins and bring in a uniform charge across the region. The Herald reported last September the proposal was for homeowners to pay $2.50 for every 80-litre bin of rubbish collected.

The system was expected to be rolled out this year, but now the council say a region-wide user-pays system is at least three years away.

"Auckland Council will transition to radio-frequency identification pay by lift bin services, to be completed in 2019/20. This date is fluid as it is dependent on technical and operational constraints," a spokeswoman said.

This year council scrapped inorganic collections, dumping the roadside service in favour of 30 community recycling hubs around the city.

At the time, council manager of waste solutions Ian Stupple said the policy would ultimately save Aucklanders money.