The EPA has granted Taylorville Resource Park (TRP) an extension of a few weeks to meet the requirements of a three-month abatement notice slapped on the site in March.
It came after the West Coast Regional Council asked the authority in February to take over its environmental compliance investigation of the Coal Creek landfill, 5km east of Greymouth.
These included an overwhelming stench forcing neighbours to stay indoors, alleged asbestos-generated dust and water leaching from the site into a roadside drain.
After the authority took over investigations in February, it found leachate from the landfill had been allowed to spill from the site via an adjoining waterway.
Under the subsequent abatement, TRP was given three months to comply, ending June 14.
Investigations manager Jackie Adams said compliance officers had since visited the site and found TRP had made "significant progress".
However, the work required had not been completed due to adverse weather conditions during the abatement period, Mr Adams said.
Because of this, the authority had yet to determine the final outcome of its investigation.
"Our officers will be returning to the site again in the coming weeks," Mr Adams said.
"Once this inspection has been completed, we will determine if all the conditions of the notice have been met before considering any next steps."
LDR asked the authority what type of weather factor was at play.
"We understand that there were poor weather conditions in April that affected TRP’s ability to install the waterproof lining of the new storage pond," Mr Adams said.
The authority recognised the future of the site as "an important issue for people in the region".
It continued to work with TRP to ensure compliance with the abatement, he said.
"Under the Resource Management Act, the EPA has specific enforcement functions to assist and intervene in an enforcement action of a council."
Mr Adams said they would provide a further update once they had completed their follow-up inspection and confirmed any next step.
West Coast Regional Council regulatory and policy group manager Jocelyne Allen said the council was keeping a watch on the site to ensure an "appropriate level of enforcement" in line with the level of environmental effects.
Ms Allen was asked to expand in what was meant by an appropriate level of enforcement.
She said the council was using its discretion while working through its enforcement strategy.
This was to ensure relevant treatment of the site from a compliance perspective, she said.
Ms Allen said they expected an update from the EPA by mid-July.
- LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
By Brendon McMahon
