| 47 T T Alexia Anderson Clean-up safeguards coastal environment A key component of the remediation was transporting the excavated waste to a new, lined landfill cell at the closed Palmerston landfill. Waitaki District Council REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Waitaki District Council has completed its major coastal clean-up, removing 67,000 tonnes of waste from vulnerable landfill sites. Known as Project Reclaim, the now-completed clean-up targeted three contaminated sites, which were at risk of long-term environmental damage. Two of them were unofficial fly-tipping areas on Beach Road near Oamaru, and the other was at the former Municipal Solid Waste Landfill at Hampden, and were all at risk of erosion. Waitaki District Council (WDC) solid waste manager Steve Clarke says the urgency to do something about the situation was prompted by similar problems experienced on the West Coast. There had also been some exposed waste reported to have washed on to nearby beaches before the project began. “Following the issues with West Coast coastal landfills, Council began reviewing its own at-risk sites and identified three which were particularly vulnerable. That turned into Project Reclaim,” Steve says. He says it meant protecting the environment by investing now, “before disaster strikes”. While it was not directly linked to central government policy at the time, the project’s foresight helped shape the national direction on managing vulnerable landfill sites. “Project Reclaim was ahead of the Government’s policy changes to focus on funding coastal and vulnerable landfill sites, but has led the way and set the standard for other councils undertaking similar projects.” A key component of the remediation was transporting the excavated waste to a new, lined landfill cell at the closed Palmerston landfill, 8km inland. Constructed as part of the project, the sewerage-connected cell made use of existing infrastructure ahead of the site’s consent expiry in 2027. By delivering this project, the council has safeguarded the coastline from an environmental disaster, Steve says. The Beach Road clean-up involved extraction of thousands of tonnes of fly-tipped waste, which severed the road in two places, forcing its closure. Its future will be decided following a council report on the feasibility and cost of reinstating it. “Communities who use Beach Road would like it to be reinstated, but recognise the importance of removing the risk of the fly-tipped waste,” says Steve. At the Hampden site, local residents have welcomed the transformation of the former landfill into a landscaped coastal public space, which includes seating. Project Reclaim, which cost under $10 million, secured a $3 million government grant and exemption from emissions and waste levies, making it one of the most cost-effective waste remediation efforts per tonne in the country. Earlier this year, the project won the Āpōpō Asset Management Award for Excellence in Collaboration. Project partners included Waitaki District Council, Morrison Low, Waste Management NZ, Fulton-Hogan, Tonkin + Taylor, and GHC Consulting, collectively paving a way towards a more environmentally sound future. Steve credits strong cooperation among everyone involved, at all levels, including residents, Otago Regional Council, Department of Conservation, Central Government and iwi. fultonhogan.com Proudly supporting the Waitaki District Council with Project Reclaim. Creating, connecting and caring for communities since 1933.
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