Photo: Mark PriceSome ''teething problems'' over the introduction of its new waste collection service were admitted by the Queenstown Lakes District Council this week. The problems included some households still not having received their three plastic bins more than two weeks after the new system began on July 1, and a rat problem in Queenstown's materials recovery facility. The new operator is Waste Management, and Mr Hansby said repairs to the facility had been necessary, and there had been rats. ''Due to unseasonably warm weather, rats have also added to the challenges at the materials recovery facility site. ''We and the previous operator, Smart Environmental, were aware of the rat problem ...it's added to further delays in getting the facility up and running for Waste Management.''

Source: Otago Daily Times July 17, 2019 16:30 UTC