After many months of protracted negotiation and tender process, Southland Disability Enterprises (SdE) has been informed by WasteNet [an agency of the three local councils – ICC, SDC, and GDC that it is not the preferred provider of the recycling contract renewal that it has held for the past eight years. Needless to say all employed by SdE, particularly the 90 disabled staff are devastated by the potential loss of their jobs and the social interaction that is so much a part of what SdE means to them. The tender process is not complete until the recommendation from WasteNet is presented to the three councils on the 4th & 5th of June for ratification or rejection. It is imperative that the community now write to petition voting councillors to recognise social as well as economic outcomes when considering the WasteNet recommendation. The following statement has been prepared for public distribution and encapsulates the most important points for public consideration.
Southland Disability Enterprises (SdE) is under threat
Recycling Tender being negotiated with Non Southland provider
Decision to be made by 3 councils (ICC/SDC/GDC) on 4 & 5th June
Talk to your councillors and tell them where you stand on this important issue
Destroyed – Caring, happy and safe work environment for 90 Southland disabled workers
Fallout – Huge psychological and financial impact on disabled workers, families and community ($4.6M additional costs to community per year)
Ignored – Proven and successful recycling operation over many years; SdE winner of Zero Sustainability Award 2009 as nationwide leader in sustainability
Wasted – Hundreds of thousands of dollars of community money to set up SdE (ILT, Community Trust South)
Lost – Strong relationships with Southland stakeholders who spend and generate profits in the province
Eliminated – Local recycling, local organisation, local people, local workers
Is the saving in rates worth the social cost to our community?
Stuart Collie - Board Member - SdE
