Media Statement
18/03/2024
Grey District Council calls for end to Taylorville Resource Park
Grey District Council is calling on the West Coast Regional Council to revoke all resource consents for the Taylorville Resource Park and act immediately to contain and remediate any damage already incurred.
The Environmental Protection Authority Te Mana Rauhī Taiao last week issued an abatement notice to the Taylorville Resource Park landfill in relation to leaching of contaminated water.
The finding validates Council’s belief that the landfill should never have been approved. Council has had concerns about the Taylorville Resource Park since its inception and is pleased the EPA is involved and investigating. The findings are consistent with Council’s long held concerns and is calling on the Regional Council to revoke the consents immediately.
There are many unanswered questions around the impact of the landfill, not only on the long-term security of the district’s water supply but also on the impact the leachate will have on the local environment, the Grey River and Greymouth as a whole.
There are grave risks posed by the leakage from containment structures in gravels with high water movement. Council has not had any reassurance around how the site will stand up to prolonged heavy rainfall and natural events, such as earthquakes.
Council infrastructure staff have been regularly monitoring the water supply to ensure that residents are protected from potential contamination. Council is engaging with the Regional Council and intends to increase the monitoring of ground water between the landfill and water supply intakes.
Grey District Council remains very concerned about the long-term risks posed by the presence of the landfill to our communities and our environment and calls on the Regional Council to revoke all consents and begin remediation work immediately.
