A government announcement of $2 million to further support Tasman flood recovery efforts is being welcomed by Tasman District Council, as the clean-up from back-to-back storms in June and July continues.

Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says the grant has been drawn from the recently established emergency waste funding.

Tasman District Council Recovery Manager Richard Kirby says the total bill for all damage and the subsequent clean-up stretches into the many millions, so this additional money for waste disposal is very helpful.

“I’m grateful that the Ministry for the Environment has supported us in providing solutions to the disposal of waste, silt and gravels arising from the flooding.”

Richard Kirby says the $2 million will cover around 70-percent of the cost of this aspect of the storm clean-up process.

The Emergency Waste Fund money will help to cover some Tasman District Council costs in a variety of areas including 
• The initial and on-going clean-up of debris on the coastline and along our river corridors
• Removal of silt and debris around critical infrastructure
• Disposal of flood damaged household goods
• Receiving and managing silt from around homes
• Assisting with silt management from horticultural properties where necessary
• Receiving and processing fence posts – Tasman District Council has already processed and donated 8000 re-purposed vineyard posts for farm fencing
• Management of rural plastics, debris and hazardous wastes
• Helping with management of woody debris on public land and private property

Richard Kirby is also welcoming assistance from the Ministry for the Environment to apply for a waiver of the waste disposal levy to further reduce the financial burden of disposing of silt and other flood-related waste.

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