As WMMP reviews will get closer, the Ministry will reach out to the concerned councils to understand what plans are being made to comply with their review requirements.
A WMMP review is complete if the TA has (in this exact sequencing):
- completed a Waste Assessment in accordance with section 51 of the WMA (including Medical Officer of Health feedback obtained)
- in light of the completed Waste Assessment, made a decision to continue, amend, or revoke and substitute its existing WMMP (under section 50(3) of the WMA). Evidence of the decision can consist of a decision paper to your governance body with your recommendations for the next WMMP (e.g. memo to council of your recommendation/decision, or council minutes). A record of that decision needs to be provided to the Ministry for the Environment.
For this last requirement, a TA does not need to have adopted or completed consultation on a new WMMP: the TA needs to have made a decision on what it intends to do with its existing WMMP following consideration of its Waste Assessment. If the WMMP is not reviewed within the six-year statutory timeframe, section 33 of the WMA requires the Ministry for the Environment to retain levy money payable to a TA.
Process to Review Your WMMP (up to 18 months)