$1.35 million in Government Funding for Bluecliffs Landfill 

A Government grant of $1.35 million to clean up the Bluecliffs landfill site, is a positive step towards protecting the ecosystem and the community, Environment Minister and Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds says.

“I am pleased to make this funding available to the Tuatapere community. It will address the risk of this site being breached by a natural event, exposing waste material and contaminating the surrounding land and waterways.

“This site, which is in a low-lying coastal area, is at risk of being compromised by storm surges, rainfall events, high water levels and flooding.

“This is a significant and proactive environmental initiative which aims to mitigate the risks of erosion and contamination, in the wake of extreme weather events and climate change, as the Government safeguards coastal communities and ecosystems, like those at Bluecliffs.

“This funding forms part of a $6.6 million Contaminated Sites Remediation Fund to address four low-lying coastal historic New Zealand landfill and dump sites at Gisborne, Southland, Canterbury and Nelson.

Ms Simmonds announced the funding at a BlueGreens Forum in Paihia, Northland, on Saturday.

“The Bluecliffs landfill site is situated in a former gravel pit located within Te Waewae Bay, west of the Waiau River mouth.

“Waste material was dumped at the site from the 1970s through to the 1980s, and fly tipping, including larger items such as electrical appliances, car parts and plastic crates, were also dumped there.

“Coastal tides and Waiau River mouth flooding have eroded parts of the site and surrounding areas.

“Environment Southland is partnering with Southland District Council to plan and undertake remediation of the site and this new funding will support that work.”