1 April 2019

Following this week’s significant rainfall event Westland District Council has been undertaking assessments to assets throughout the district. The Council has found significant damage to roads and other assets.

From these assessments Council has located a historic rubbish dump site beside the Fox River. This site has been severely eroded by the river causing rubbish to be taken downstream and north through the northern drift at sea.

Council has undertaken visual assessments and found rubbish as far north as Okarito.

Council has engaged contractors to undertake work on site to prevent further rubbish being exposed and taken downstream. This is a temporary fix and will require long term works to make the site safe.

In addition to this Council is working with the Regional Council, DOC and other agencies to formulate a plan to remove the rubbish from the environment. This is a significant issue and support from other parts of New Zealand is being sought.

ENDS

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