The government has granted $1.35 million, from the Contaminated Sites Remediation Fund, to clean up the Bluecliffs landfill site - which is currently under a local State of Emergency due to severe erosion.

The fund can be applied for by regional councils and unitary authorities to secure contaminated sites that pose a risk to human health and the environment.

Environment Minister and Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds announced the grant on Saturday (24 Feb) as part of $6.6 million in funding to clean up four low-lying coastal landfill and dump sites in Gisborne, Southland, Canterbury and Nelson.

“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," Simmonds said.

“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."

“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."