Monday 17 May 2004

Ministry awards funding for further soil tests at Sandilands

The Ministry for the Environment has granted funding towards the cost of further assessment of contamination levels on privately owned properties at Sandilands.

The 12.5 hectare area in Wainoni/Aranui is a former Council landfill, dating back to 1870. The landfill was closed in 1942, then covered and developed by the Council for housing.

In February, Environment Canterbury lodged an application on behalf of the Christchurch City Council for funding from a central government grant scheme to help pay for the remediation of properties at Sandilands.

The first stage of that funding application, for further soil testing, has been approved, with 40% of the cost being met from the fund. The Council is likely to consider the funding deed at its July meeting and decide whether to proceed.

“A total of $150,000 is required for the assessment, $90,000 of which the Council will be required to pay,” the Council’s Environmental Effects team leader, Klaus Prusas said.

Background

There are 112 properties in Sandilands, 28 of which are owned by the Council. Of the 24 Council-owned properties that were tested for contaminants, seven were found to exceed the New Zealand guidelines relating to contaminated land. The Council has remediated those seven sites at a total cost of $256,186. Of the 84 privately owned properties, five out of six tested by the Council were above the guidelines.

The remaining 78 sites have not been tested.
The Ministry for the Environment (MfE) operates a Contaminated Sites Remediation Fund to assist regional councils in the investigation and remediation of contaminated sites that pose a known or potential risk to human health and the environment. Under the funding criteria, each application is assessed on a case by case basis. The MfE could contribute from 20 to 80% of the cost of remediation. The average contribution is 50%.

ENDS

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