An initial investigation last year found the waste in the landfill under the sports fields at Kettle Park was too hazardous to be disposed of in municipal landfills, and could even contain munitions and unexploded ordnance from a former army camp to the north of the park. The Dunedin City Council discovered landfill material extending into the beach’s dune system was larger than expected and about 33,430cu m of waste was at risk of being exposed by coastal erosion.
A long-term solution for the landfill under Kettle Park, which operated from about 1900 to the 1950s, is still being sought, and a remediation strategy will be developed in collaboration with the Otago Regional Council and mana whenua.
About 500m of geobags — sand sausages — was being installed in front of Kettle Park at Middle Beach, between St Kilda and St Clair Beaches. Work began last month.
Waste within the sand dune system contained asbestos and elevated level of metals that would be too hazardous for disposal at a class A landfill.
In some parts the layer of waste reached up to 8m deep.
The geobag work was taking place between low and mid tide and will require some beach access restrictions in the area. Signs will be up and there will be site guides at each end of the site to assist the public.
The council expected the work to be completed by mid-August.
