More money is needed to build erosion protection at the closed Hampden landfill and the job is now expected to cost more than half a million dollars.
The work is expected to start today, and tomorrow the Waitaki District Council will meet to decide how to fund it.
Initial estimates to build a protective rock rip-rap structure and clay bund to stop rubbish being washed out from the 70-year-old landfill put the cost at $234,000.
The council was providing $316,000 to ensure the job was completed.
Now a contract has been awarded to Whitestone Contracting and to Rooney Earthmoving and the cost may be up to $550,000.
The dump, in a gully on the coast just south of Hampden beach, was closed about a decade ago.
However, the sea has eroded about 60m of the dump face on the beach, spreading rubbish along the coast and out to sea.
The council has been granted approval by the Otago Regional Council for protection work to stop the erosion.
Preparatory work has been done to get machinery to the dump face and the beach.
Clay is being taken from the Palmerston landfill and being backloaded on the trucks taking rubbish away from the dump.
Whitestone Contracting will excavate refuse near the sea, and construct the protection works which will prevent the landfill from slipping.
This clay bund will be the new toe of the landfill.
Rooney Earthmoving is supplying and placing the rock protection to prevent the sea from eroding the clay bund.
While work is due to start, tomorrow the council will consider providing an extra $235,000 from a loan for the job.
