Thumbs upfor landfill

A milestone has been reached at Porirua’s Spicer Landfill as the regional council lifted its abatement notice and expressed cautious optimism about it last week.

On June 17, the tip had its landfill gas management plan come into effect, ensuring closer monitoring of gas levels on-site and dealing with odour complaints.

New gas wells and better practices meant conditions at the Porirua and Wellington City Council owned tip, were more favourable all-round, regional council team leader of environ- ment regulation Jeremy Rusbatch said.

In September last year, KapiMana News revealed details from an independent report about the high levels of hydrogen sulfide detected at the landfill.

‘‘Things have moved on a long way since then,’’ Rusbatch said.

‘‘Our abatement notice from last June [for breaching the consent conditions] has been lifted and we’re very happy with the gas systems and the management plan in place.’’

But the good news had been tempered by the number of odour complaints from Tawa residents, including five in one night last week. Rusbatch said responding to these complaints remained ‘‘an absolute priority’’ for the regional council.

‘‘Heat and scrutiny has been on the two councils over Spicer. ’’

Porirua City Council will shortly submit an updated operations and management plan for the landfill to the regional council for review, to ensure best international practices are being followed. Ameeting of the Spicer Landfill community liaison group will be held at 7pm this Thursday, June 30, in the Porirua City Council chambers.