Work has begun to contain the contaminated contents of a historic landfill at Bluff’s Ocean Beach.

The beach has been closed to the public since 2018 after contaminants, including asbestos, were discovered.

An asbestos removal company has already cleared approximately 1.2 tonnes of contaminated material.

DOC Operations Manager Murihiku John McCarroll said the risk of public exposure was considered extremely low, however further erosion would deteriorate the landfill, so there was a need to act.

The next phase of the operation was to prevent future contamination and restore public access.

“DOC and Invercargill City Council (ICC) are collaborating to install a rock seawall between the landfill and the beach,” McCarroll said.

“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 6500 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,” he said.

The coastal protection wall and landfill removal cost is around $3.5m 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,” Pearson said.

Bluff Community Board Chair Ray Fife said he was glad to see progress.