• The small township of Bluecliffs was evacuated due to the clearing of an old dumpsite containing hazardous material, causing residents to live out of temporary accommodations.
  • Residents express difficulties in managing daily life and stress over the limited time allowed to return home for necessities and care for pets.
  • Emergency Management Southland is making progress on waste removal, but the state of emergency due to erosion continues to affect the community’s stability and financial well-being.

Residents of Bluecliffs, a small township in Southland, are currently facing significant stress and uncertainty. Last week, they were forced to evacuate their homes with only two days’ notice to clear a nearby old dumpsite filled with hazardous materials.

This sudden displacement has resulted in many living in temporary accommodations, struggling to adapt to their new temporary living situations. Related: Mayor Rob Scott Announces Extension of Bluecliffs Emergency for Cleanup Operations

One resident, Jan Stevenson, shared her experience of moving from her home to a temporary room in Tūātapere. She highlighted the challenges of managing everyday life within the brief periods allowed for residents to return home. Tasks such as feeding pets, watering plants, doing laundry, and eating at home have become a race against time. Related: Bluecliffs Residents to Evacuate Amid Safety Measures for Dump Site Clearance

The community has tried to maintain morale by organizing a barbecue, yet the underlying struggles are evident. Tess Thurlow, another resident, faces a dire situation with the impending loss of her current accommodation, complicating matters for her and her three children, including a neurodivergent child.

Moreover, Uri Sirch, a local beekeeper, initially resisted evacuation due to concerns over her business but has since received an exemption to stay at her property overnight, highlighting individual challenges within the broader crisis.

Emergency Management Southland has been actively working on the hazardous waste removal, making significant progress despite the ongoing threat of erosion from the Waiau River and the ocean. Controller Paul le Roux mentioned the successful removal of about 1,100 tonnes of waste material so far, with careful handling of discovered asbestos.

The community, still under a state of emergency since February 8th, is waiting for further updates on efforts to mitigate the erosion threat. Despite these adversities, residents like Stevenson emphasize the importance of resilience, grateful that no lives have been lost.

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