Funds approved to assess landfill remediation options

Plans to remediate a historical South Canterbury landfill at St Andrews Beach have been given a boost thanks to $135,000 of Government funding.

We have been successful with a funding application to the Ministry for Environment’s Contaminated Sites Remediation Fund.

The application relates to a historical rural landfill near St Andrews Beach and will enable us to carry out remediation planning, working closely with Waimate District Council and Te Rūnanga o Waihao.

The historical landfill contains industrial, demolition and household waste, including car parts and textiles. Preliminary site investigations, surveys and sampling have been carried out to establish the extent of the landfill and the risks it presents.

These initial assessments indicated a low risk to human health, given the intermittent and short-term exposure of people to the site. Once we became aware of the issue, we engaged contractors to do a clean-up phase of any obvious material, especially any that may cause a physical safety risk. Signage has also been put in place at the beach access point.

Funding for remediation options

The funding will allow us to complete an assessment of remedial options and develop an action plan to address the erosive release of waste and contamination from the landfill. No physical work will be carried out during this phase. We are working closely with the Waimate District Council and Te Rūnanga o Waihao as this project develops.

"This is really important work and we're delighted to move forward with this project. To have this planning work fully funded is a great starting point and will allow us to complete an assessment of our options and develop a comprehensive action plan," Zone Delivery Southern Manager Lauren Hamilton said.

This stage of the project is expected to commence as soon as the funding becomes available.

Find out more about the Government grants to clean up old landfill sites.