Council says Government money not enough for West Coast rubbish cleanup

Wednesday, 5 June 2019

A West Coast council says it was forced to abandon the cleanup of an old landfill that spilled rubbish across 75 kilometres of coastline, after spending nearly $600,000.

The area is still strewn with rubbish after torrential rainfall and flooding in late March exposed a disused landfill at Fox River.

Volunteers will keep cleaning up the riverbed and beaches, despite funding being cut. The council and the Government have pledged no further financial support for the cleanup.

Rubbish has been strewn along 75km of previously pristine West Coast beaches and riverbed.

Westland District Council council received $300,000 from the Government, but said it was not enough and suspended the cleanup on Friday. The Government has said no more funding will be given until it receives a clear and accountable plan from the council about how it will spend the money.

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Council regulatory services manager Te Aroha Cook said the cleanup had cost about $620,000 so far.

The bulk of the money had been used on helicopters to remove rubbish from remote areas, for surveillance flights, and to move people in and out of the area, especially when the Waiho River bridge was destroyed in the same storm that exposed the old dump.

The council had paid 22 people $50,000 in total to work in the riverbed since early May. Another $60,000 was spent on external contractors in specialist field roles, including planning, response coordination, logistics and environmental monitoring, and $20,000 went on reimbursing contractor expenses for food, vehicle hire and fuel.

Heavy machinery used to remove contaminated debris cost $40,000, while specialised equipment like needle proof gloves, reflective jerkins, insect repellent and hazardous waste bags, rubbish bags, fadges cost $8000, and aerial satellite photography of the area cost $4000.

The landfill was recapped for $116,000, but is still in danger of being further exposed in another flood.

About 15,000 kilograms of contaminated waste was disposed for $67,000, while invoices were expected for another $30,000 worth of rubbish to be carted to Hokitika landfill.

Cook said the council had asked for $1 million to continue the cleanup, or for a Government agency to take over the job.

'Council was grateful for the $300,000 pledged, but always stated it was not enough … There has been no formal response from Government in respect to our latest request for assistance.'

Minister of Conservation and Associate Minister for the Environment Eugenie Sage said landfills were the responsibility of councils. It was expected the funds already given would be a 'considerable help'.

'It is surprising that Westland District Council has requested more funding so soon,' she said.

'No further Government funding will be considered until there is a clear plan and accountability for how it will be used. This plan is expected later in June.'

Meanwhile, a change.org petition has been launched, asking for the army to be deployed to help.