Project Reclaim to move to Beach Road
Published on 08 August 2024
Waitaki District Council’s work to safeguard the coastline from a potential environmental disaster has progressed well, with over 35,000 tonnes of waste being removed from the former Hampden Landfill by Fulton Hogan and transported to a new landfill cell in Palmerston, constructed by Waste Management.
The work in Hampden should be completed by late-August, and the focus will shift to two sites on Beach Road, near Awamoa Road. Unlike Hampden, these were not municipal landfill sites, but have been identified as significant historic fly-tipping sites which pose a similar threat to the coastal environment.
Excavation work should begin at the Beach Road sites from late August, signs will be erected at the closures and on surrounding roads from 12 August. Beach Road will be closed from the Old Bones Lodge to the corner just before the North Otago Golf course from 19 August. Awamoa Road will also be closed from 404 Awamoa Road to the Beach Road junction.
Steve Clarke, Waitaki District Council’s Solid Waste Manager, says: “We’re on track to cleaning up some of the mistakes of the past, keep our coastlines safe and remind people that fly-tipping can have long-term and damaging consequences for the environment.”
We anticipate the road to be closed until December, and while Council aims to reopen this will depend on the progress of excavation and the remediation work needed following that. The closure points have been chosen to enable safe turning points for vehicles.
ENDS
Project Reclaim Information
Project Reclaim is removing historic waste from the former municipal landfill in Hampden, and at two fly-tipping sites along Beach Road. All three sites were identified as high-risk reaching the coastal and marine environment, and contained an estimated 45,000 tones of historic waste.
A modern landfill cell, connected to wastewater to treat leachate, was constructed at the former Palmerston Landfill site to receive this waste and securely store it.
How much historic waste is there at the three sites?
This is on a forecast of 45,000 tonnes of waste to be removed, which otherwise would have ended up in the coastal and marine environment.
Upon excavation, additional waste was discovered at both sites with a total of 67,000 tonnes of waste removed - including 7,000 additional tonne at the two Beach Road sites.
What is the projected cost Project Reclaim?
The budget projected for the project is $12m - $15m, but that is dependent on whether there is a waiving of the waste levy (c.$2.5m) and ETS levy (c.$800k). Council has made an application to have these levies waived, as the waste being deposited is not newly generated and must be removed to protect the environment.
Completion of the project saw the contingency budget for the project used as more waste was extracted at both sites. The project was approved with a total budget of $18.5 million including this contingency.
The total cost of the project is $18.35 million, but that includes the increased Waste Levy and ETS Levy which now totals $5.2 million. Council has applied for this to be waived and the Ministry for Environment is currently establishing their process for this waiver.
Cost breakdown
Update to reflect completion of project.
- $5.2m waste levy and ETS charges. Charges made on waste being received at a landfill.
- $5.5m for Palmerston Landfill development and management of the site. This includes the development of the site, building a fully lined cell to receive the waste to meet current waste disposal standards, disestablishment of the existing leachate capture pond, and upgrade of stormwater drainage at the site.
- The consent for the Palmerston Landfill expires in 2027, so by utilising this site for Project Reclaim, Council avoids having to find a new site for 67,000 tonnes of historic waste.
- $6.4m for the excavation, cartage and placing of the waste from the 3 sites and rehabilitating each site
- $750k sewer line works to Falcon St in Palmerston to allow the leachate to be diverted to the Palmerston Wastewater treatment plant, protecting the environment
- $500k roading maintenance and rehabilitation of Stafford St Hampden and Falcon St Palmerston, after truck movements during the project.