The Waitaki District Council’s Project Reclaim is on the move, with historic waste being moved from the Hampden landfill site to the prepared landfill site in Palmerston.
The excavation is part of the project that aims to relocate waste from three contaminated sites.
There are two fly tipping (illegal dumping) sites in Beach Rd near Awamoa Rd, and the Hampden closed landfill. The waste from these sites can be received at the Waitaki District Council (WDC) Palmerston Landfill which is due to close in August 2027 once the consent expires.
Over 30,000cu m of waste is estimated to be removed from Hampden’s former dumping site over the next 10 weeks, with the operation beginning on June 17.
WDC solid waste manager Steve Clarke said removing the waste was important because coastal erosion was an issue throughout the country, including Waitaki.
‘‘We have conducted geological surveys and know that we are facing coastal erosion,’’ Mr Clarke said.
‘‘This, coupled with the fact that the Palmerston Landfill consent expires in August 2027, means we need to act now and help avoid an environmental issue.’’
The WDC has been given approval from the Otago Regional Council to remove the waste to Palmerston Landfill.
The council carried out some remedial work to prevent any further exposure of waste and contamination of the beach. In 2009, a total of 5090cu m of compacted waste was transferred to the Palmerston Landfill.
All three sites are in danger of slipping into the sea.
Fulton Hogan is forecasting a truck movement, either in or out of Stafford St, every 15 minutes from 8am to 5pm, five days per week, as it excavates about 32,000 tonnes of old waste and transports it to the prepared landfill site in Palmerston.
The same level of truck movements will be experienced in Palmerston coming off State Highway 1, east into Goodwood Rd then turning up Falcon St to access the landfill.
A grizzly screen will be set up to filter waste and capture larger items that may be recyclable by Fulton Hogan.
‘‘Trucks will enter and exit off Stafford St and will be in two-way radio contact ensuring one truck only on the street,’’ a council spokesperson said.
‘‘Stafford St will be closed just east of the railway line where Fulton Hogan are installing a temporary weigh bridge.
‘‘Falcon St and Stafford St residents have been informed of the truck movements,’’ the spokesperson said.
‘‘We thank all residents and people passing through affected areas for their patience and co-operation as we carry out this vital work’’.
