Bluecliffs tip clearance complete, residents get OK to return home

The clearance of the contaminated dump site at Bluecliffs has ended with 2000 tonnes of material removed in 12 days and authorities telling residents they can finally return home.

In a statement, Emergency Management Southland group recovery manager Lucy Hicks said no explosives were found during the work, but a large amount of asbestos was removed from the old tip.

She said Bluecliffs residents, who were evacuated earlier this month, could return home yesterday.

The small settlement on Southland’s south coast is home to 18 properties standing along a cliff that is being eaten away by the Waiau River. The tip site was in danger of falling into the sea.

A local state of emergency was declared on February 8 by Southland District mayor Rob Scott. That was lifted on Monday, but the area remained under a “transition to recovery” declaration.

“The contractor and specialists have gotten through the work faster than anticipated, so the expected 21 days for residents to be out of their homes was reduced down to 12,” Hicks said. During that time, full-time residents of Bluecliffs were accommodated in Tuatapere, the statement said.

Hicks said the area had been checked by a landfill specialist and was deemed safe.

Traffic management would remain in place as contractors were still working on reinstating the area, the statement said.

“No decisions have been made about the future of Bluecliffs, and at this stage all options remain on the table. The expected report on the opening was received last week, and the team are considering this.

“The local recovery team will work with the community to discuss these options.”

During a transition to recovery phase, a recovery manager could direct and co-ordinate the use of personnel, material and other resources for recovery activities.

Southland councils had received $1.35m from the Government to clean up the contaminated tip site.