Landfill to be cleared from river
More than two years since waste from an exposed landfill began seeping into the Rangitı¯kei River a permanent solution is not far way.
The river altered its path following significant rainfall in October 2018, scouring the riverbank and exposing the old Putorino Landfill.
Contractors diverted the river as a temporary measure last year, however, those efforts failed and the district council scrambled to find a more permanent solution.
A consultant for the resource consent and a contractor for the remediation work have been appointed, and iwi have been consulted.
According to an online update, work is expected to start as soon as possible next year to maximise the summer period when the river flow is at its lowest.
The work involves removing the contents of the landfill and is expected to take three months.
The landfill – closed in 1997 – was commissioned under the former Rangitı¯kei County Council, which ceased to exist in 1989. At that time, it was 300 metres from the river’s edge.
It was brought to the existing council’s attention when the riverbank began retreating and debris was seen several kilometres downstream. The land is owned by the Crown under the Queens Chain arrangement, but the management of the site is the responsibility of the council.
When the landfill slip was identified, Horizons Regional Council agreed to redirect the river path away from the face of the landfill. This work was completed in May last year. At the same time, the district council assessed the site to come up with remedial options.
Stuff trekked along the river last year to examine the site. Ten metres of the landfill had crumbled into the river, with plastic, steel drums and rusted sheets of corrugated iron strewn up to five kilometres downstream.
Last week, the council took updated images of the site with a drone. Vegetation has grown back and there is no change to the riverbank profile since July. However, there was still debris.
The council is working with Horizons, Nga¯ Wairiki Nga¯ti Apa and Nga¯ti Hauiti.