NEWS RELEASE
6 March 2008

Come for a nice stroll at the Landfill!

This Saturday 8 March Wellingtonians have a chance to see the inner workings of one of our city’s most crucial pieces of infrastructure. The Stepping Out! Landfill Walk is a rare opportunity to explore the Southern Landfill.

City Council Landfill staff Donna Sherlock and Nicole Lew will lead a two-hour exploration of this fascinating facility. Walkers will visit the recycling centre, the sewage dewatering plant, the Living Earth compost plant, toxic-soil land banks and the new Todd Energy electricity generator.  

This free tour might not be for the faint-hearted, but Donna Sherlock promises that those brave enough will witness some fascinating aspects of our city’s waste management system.

“A lot of people will find this stuff extremely interesting and there will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions.”

The new Todd Energy electricity generator, currently being commissioned, will be a highlight for walkers. The generator will burn methane from the landfill to generate up to 8 GWh of electricity per year – enough to power around 1000 homes.

Walkers should meet at the Landfill Visitor Centre – beside the Recycling Centre - at 10am and are advised to bring warm clothing and a sturdy pair of shoes.

The landfill tour is one of many great walks taking place in the Capital this weekend as part of the City Council’s annual Stepping Out! walking festival during March. Other great walks include a tour through the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary with the Wellington Botanical Society, a special behind-the-scenes tour through Wellington Zoo, and Tenderfoot – an overnight tramp for women new to hiking.

Full details of events and dates are in the Stepping Out! brochures available from City Council swimming pools, recreation centres and libraries - or visit www.feelinggreat.co.nz for more information.

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