Why do we need a Trade Waste Bylaw?
Trade waste – liquid waste from industrial and commercial activities – can contain contaminants that, if not properly managed, may damage the wastewater system, harm the environment, or pose risks to public health. The Trade Waste Bylaw sets out the rules for how trade waste is managed in Tauranga, helping to:
- protect the wastewater network from damage, misuse, and interference
- support safe and sustainable business operations
- enable cost recovery for the management and treatment of trade waste
- promote minimization and cleaner production practices
- ensure compliance with resource consents and environmental standards.
What changes are proposed?
The Trade Waste Bylaw was first adopted in 2004 and has been periodically reviewed to address emerging challenges and legislative changes. With the introduction of the Local Government (Water Services) Act 2025, Tauranga City Council (the Council) is reviewing and updating the Trade Waste Bylaw to ensure it remains fit for purpose, compliant with new legal requirements, and reflective of community expectations.
We are proposing to adopt a revised Trade Waste Bylaw 2026. The draft bylaw has been updated to:
- align with the Local Government (Water Services) Act 2025, including updated definitions and terminology (e.g., “Water Service Provider”, “compliance officer”)
- clarify responsibilities of owners and occupiers of trade premises for compliance
- update the classification of trade waste discharges (Allowed, Controlled, Conditional, Prohibited) and the requirements for permits
- strengthen provisions for cost recovery, enforcement, and penalties for non-compliance
- set clearer requirements for pre-treatment, monitoring, and management of hazardous materials
- provide for transitional arrangements from the previous bylaw and consents specify processes for permit applications, renewals, transfers, and variations
- enhance protection of the wastewater system and the environment from hazardous or prohibited discharges, including persistent organic pollutants such as PFAS
- incorporate feedback and best practice from industry and stakeholder review.
Key proposed changes
What’s changing?
- Updated definitions and terminology (e.g., Water Service Provider, compliance officer, owner/occupier)
- Reframing of the purpose of the bylaw
- Revised classification and permitting of trade waste discharges
- Stronger provisions for cost recovery and enforcement
- Clearer requirements for pre-treatment and monitoring
- Transitional provisions for existing consents and permits
- Enhanced protection against hazardous and prohibited discharges
Why?
- To align with the Local Government (Water Services) Act 2025 and ensure clarity of roles and responsibilities
- To reflect the alignment of the bylaw with Tauranga City Council strategies and include recognition of tangata whenua perspectives and kaitiakitanga in the purpose of the bylaw.
- To provide a clear, risk-based framework for managing different types of trade waste. Further details are presented in the table below.
- To ensure the Council can recover costs for managing non-compliance and protect public assets.
- To reduce the risk of damage to the wastewater system and the environment
- To provide certainty and minimize disruption for businesses during the transition to the new bylaw
- To safeguard public health, the environment, and the integrity of the wastewater network. Including considerations and conditions to address persistent organic pollutants such as PFAS.
Revised classification and permitting of trade waste discharges