Remediation of the Historic Landfill on Putorino Road
The historic landfill on Pūtōrino Road, closed by 1997, was brought to Rangitīkei District Council’s attention in October 2018 when, due to the Rangitīkei River bank retreating, debris was exposed from the landfill. The landfill was once 300 meters from the river’s edge, but over time the river has eroded the river bank to the point it now impacts the edge of the former landfill site. The landfill site is not actually owned by the Rangitīkei District Council, it was passed onto the District Council from the County Council in 1989; the land is owned by the Crown under the Queens Chain arrangement but the management of the site falls under the responsibility of Rangitīkei District Council.
Since 2018, Rangitīkei District Council have been working with other concerned parties to remedy the situation. When the landfill slip was identified Horizons Regional Council agreed to redirect the river flow path away from the face of the landfill. This work was completed in May 2019.
At the same time, Rangitīkei District Council undertook a site assessment to identify options for safe remediation of the old landfill site. “This assessment identified that the majority of the landfill contents was building rubble and steel with a small portion of domestic rubble.” Advises Mayor Andy Watson
Rangitīkei District Council and Māori whakapapa, are urgently and collaboratively working with Horizons Regional Council, Iwi (Ngā Wairiki Ngāti Apa and Ngāti Hauiti) and contractors on ways to safely remediate the site, remove residual material and to avoid discharges to the environment.
For more information contact our Project Management Office on 06 327 0099 or info@rangitikei.govt.nz
Progress Shot - Sheet piling still to be removed
Project Update
25 January 2024
The work on this project has been completed.
2 November 2021
Final stage near completion.
The removal of waste has been completed and the sheet piling has been removed.
The final stage of the project which includes returning clean material to the site, will be compacted and form part of the river bank, and planting of appropriate trees to ensure bank stability is underway and nearly completed.
13 July 2021
The remediation of the historic landfill on Pūtōrino Road is nearing completion.
The landfill material has been excavated, and the sheet piling is being removed by 16 July 2021. The final stage of the project is returning some clean material to the site which will be compacted and form part of the river bank, and planting of appropriate trees to ensure bank stability.
30 March 2021
Final resource consent received.
Council received the final resource consent on 25 March and the remediation will commence on 1 April 2021. We also received a winter works permit so that the works can continue until completion, without a break for the winter months.
The works are expected to take 12 weeks.
15 January 2021
Remediation to begin.
On Monday 18 January 2021 our contractor, Central Demolition, will begin establishing their worksite for remediation of the former landfill on Pūtōrino Road.
The first three weeks will involve moving their plant and equipment to site on Pūtōrino Road, installing site offices, erecting fencing and implementing other safety precautions.
Once the resource consent applications are approved, sheet piling will be installed to protect the river and cliff face while the landfill material is excavated, tested, sorted and transported for disposal. We are expecting the resource consents to be granted on 9 February 2021.
The remediation is expected to be completed at the end of April 2021.
10 December 2020
No further increased risk.
The follow images show no change in the river bank profile from the images taken in July 2020. Noting visible debris evident at water line in July 2020 remain in place from new photos taken in early December.
23 November 2020
Contractor appointed for the remediation works.
A consultant for the resource consent and a contractor for the remediation works have been appointed, and Iwi have been consulted with regarding two potential options for protecting the river while the landfill is remediated.
Advice from Iwi is coming in this week ending 27/11/2020, and the resource consent will be lodged with urgency following that.
Works are intended to start as soon as possible in 2021 to maximise the summer period when the river’s flow is at its lowest. The remediation is expected to take 3 months.
Aerial view of former landfill site
View of river edge, noting concrete and other debris.
Putorino Landfill December 2020
Putorino Landfill July 2020
Putorino Landfill 2019