Work to contain the contaminated contents of an historic landfill is underway at Bluff’s Ocean Beach.
The beach has been off limits to public since 2018 when contaminants including asbestos were found on the beach.
An asbestos removal company has since cleared about 1.2 tonnes of contaminated material from the beach.
DOC Operations Manager Murihiku John McCarroll says the risk of public exposure is considered extremely low, but ongoing public and environmental risk is not acceptable, and further erosion will deteriorate the landfill – so there is a need to act.
This next phase is to prevent any future contamination of the site and allow public access to be restored.
“DOC and Invercargill City Council (ICC) are collaborating to install a rock seawall between the landfill and the beach,” says Mr McCarroll.
“First, waste will be excavated and sorted, reclaimable clean material will be used within the site and the rest will be removed for disposal at an authorised class A landfill. Up to 6,500 tonne of rocks will then be used to build a 90m long wall to prevent future erosion and secure this significant heritage site for the Bluff area.”
The coastal protection wall and landfill removal cost is around $3.5 million and is being funded by DOC, ICC and Ministry for the Environment (MfE). The work is being carried out under guidance of the Ocean Beach Landfill Working Party which includes representatives from Environment Southland and Te Ao Mārama inc who represent Murihiku tangata whenua for resource management purposes.
ICC Chief Engineer, Russell Pearson said public safety will be paramount during the work being undertaken.
“With work happening between April and June this year, there will be, at times, no access to the car park and beach areas. Restrictions will be publicly notified as early as possible,” said Mr Pearson.
Bluff Community Board Chair, Ray Fife said he was glad to see progress.
“I am pleased this work is now being undertaken after the extensive investigation,” he said.
