Boaties are being encouraged by DOC to make use of a mobile rubbish barge that will be operating in the Bay of Islands waters this summer.

The service is being trialled by the Northland Regional Council and operated by a local contractor, Tim Roffey. The barge will be manned, and will anchor around the islands/boats in the eastern Bay of Islands for pre-advertised periods and locations to collect rubbish.

The barge will operate every other day initially commencing on the 26th December through to the 14th January. This frequency is likely to reduce as the peak summer season progresses and is likely to finish by 25th January. The service is a trial this year, and will be dependent on both demand and the weather.

Pickup times and barge locations will be broadcasted via Russell Radio (Channel 63). The position and timing of the service will be planned according to prevailing weather conditions. The rubbish will be sorted into recycled and general rubbish so boaties can assist by bringing their refuse already sorted. (Bottles, cans and refuse.)

Far North District Council will be organising the on land side of the refuse disposal, with contractors East/West Waste. People can buy East/West Waste bags from normal retail outlets (Russell Front 4 Square and Russell Bookshop: Opua 4 Square and Burnsco Marine, and the Paihia 4 Square) for $3 and will need to pay the barge an extra $2 to cover the shipping costs to mainland refuse sites. Other bags will need an East West Waste sticker. Boaties should ensure they have change or cash on hand, as bags will not be accepted unless paid for.

There will only be one mainland refuse site on the peninsula this year at Rawhiti.

Rolien Elliot, Area Manager DOC says, "DOC is continuing to promote a Pack it in/Pack it out rubbish policy where visitors are responsible for their own rubbish like a lot of conservation areas and parks throughout New Zealand. The public can help reduce the amount of rubbish they produce by repackaging their supplies in reusable containers and disposing of the original packaging before leaving home; buying prepaid rubbish bags or stickers and using refuse/recycling facilities on the mainland."

"Other ways visitors and locals can help the Bay of Islands over the summer are:

Supporting Project Island Song and the pest-free islands by stopping (before leaving home) - checking (for stowaways) - and going (and having fun!), Removing packaging prior to leaving home to limit the quantity of onboard rubbish.

picking up a free boatie bag from volunteers at the mainland boat ramps, marinas and wharves (it includes information about the rubbish trial) and providing feedback about the rubbish disposal system online at http://www.fndc.govt.nz/contact/email-us "

See more here:

Rubbish barge in the Bay of Islands this summer