Project Reclaim

There are 3 coastal contaminated land sites that are in danger of slipping into the sea. Two fly- tipping sites on Beach Rd near Awamoa Rd, and the Hampden Closed landfill. The waste from these sites can be received at the Waitaki District Council Palmerston Landfill.  

• Beach Rd Sites  

The Beach Road Landfills are two historical landfills which were never specifically opened or approved by Council for use as landfill. Located along Beach Road, approximately 3km south of Oamaru. It is thought that the landfills were in “operation” between the 1950’s to 1970’s. Although, casual fly- tipping is still prevalent today. The unofficial landfill areas were investigated and partially remediated in 2017 after a compliant by locals regarding rubbish washing out off the cliff face onto the beach. Following the complaints in 2017, approximately 60 tonnes of waste material was removed to Oamaru and the areas were closed. The two2 Beach Rd sites have a combined volume of approximately 5,000m3. 

• Hampden Closed Landfill 

The Hampden Closed Landfill is a former Municipal Solid Waste Landfill that was in operation from 1970 until 1996. In that time, it is estimated it received around 30,000m3 of waste. The Hampden closed landfill site is located at the eastern end of Stafford Street, next to the beach. 

The closed Hampden landfill has been subject to coastal erosion exposing previously buried waste, with some waste washing out onto the beach. This necessitated meant remedial works were needed to prevent any further exposure of waste and contamination of the beach. The works included removing part of the buried waste and the placement of a rock rip rap slope (1:3) extending from the toe of the landfill onto the beach.  

In finding a suitable solution to combat the effects of the coastal erosion, affected parties being the Department of Conservation (DOC) and Kai Tahu Ki Otago Limited (KTKO) were consulted. DOC had concerns over geological features, cone-in-cone concretions and, along with KTKO, about the environmental impact of performing the remedial works. All works were executed in accordance with the associated conditions. During the remedial works, buried waste was transferred from the Hampden closed landfill to the Palmerston landfill. A total of 5,090m3 of compacted waste (including cap material) was transferred between September and December 2009. 

It is estimated that there is a remaining volume of around 25,000m3 to be removed. 

Why now? 

Palmerston Landfill consents expire in August 2027. It is not an option to renew these consents. Therefore, council has a finite time in which to take the waste to Palmerston. The nearest landfill that would receive the waste is the AB Lime landfill in Winton, Southland. WDC has been given approval from the Otago Regional Council to receive this waste at Palmerston Landfill. 

Tender 

RFP documentation was published in the first week of February 2023 and following due process the successful bidder is expected to take possession of the sites from 1st August 2023.  

Timeline

• April 2022 – Annual Plan engagement period including landfill and dumping issues as a key issue: Waitaki district council annual plan 2022-23
• November 2022 – Project Team is activated
• January 2023 – RFP is advised and engagement commences
• From August 2023 – Professional services design Beach Road, Hampden and Palmerston
• 2024 – August 2025 – Palmerston Development works and operation. Beach Rd and Hampden Remediation works completed by August 2025 (neg)
• From August 2025 – Ongoing Palmerston Operation and Development works disposal of contractor controlled tonnes and council controlled tonnes.
• August 2027 – Consent for Palmerston Landfill expires and landfill closes. Palmerston closure works from August 2027

Project team

The Project Reclaim Team has been activated and consists of seven core team members. These team members collaborate with wider Council team members as the project progresses.

• Roger Cook – Heritage, Environment and Regulatory Group Manager
• Steve Clarke – Solid Waste Manager
• Amelia Lines – Risk and Procurement Advisor
• Anna Eisenhut – Communications Specialist
• Lucianne White – Waste Minimisation Officer
• Gareth Phillips – Senior Projects Engineer
• Helen Ramsey – Associate Director, Morrison Low

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