Latest update: December 2019
Our assessment of alternative waste management technologies confirmed that extending the Landfill is the most viable solution. We are now working on technical studies to help inform the design of the extension.
You can find the documents related to this assessment and the technical studies in the document library at www.letstalk.wellington.govt.nz/southern-landfill-future.
Current situation
The Southern Landfill is a critical piece of sanitation infrastructure for Wellington. We accept waste from kerbside collections, commercial collections and materials delivered by residents and businesses to the on-site transfer station.
The Southern Landfill is the only facility in Wellington City that accepts special waste including all the City’s dewatered sewage sludge, contaminated soil and asbestos containing materials. The existing disposal area will likely reach capacity as early as 2023.
Waste generation is projected to rise in line with population and GDP growth. The Landfill itself does not generate waste; waste minimisation begins well upstream of the Landfill. Wellington City Council is committed to reducing the amount of material landfilled by 30 per cent by 2026. The Landfill is just one part of the waste picture, which includes carbon.
Engaging with the community
We’ve been talking to the community about the best way to manage waste for Wellington City in the future, and the technical studies required to get the best design of the extension. These conversations are ongoing and you can find out more at www.letstalk.wellington.govt.nz/southern-landfill-future.
Initiatives to reduce waste generation
We’re committed to reducing waste. The plans to extend the Landfill assume the continuation of our current range of initiatives to reduce waste generation and capture materials for reuse, recycling or recovery continue. Current initiatives include:
- Education to encourage Wellington City residents and businesses to avoid the generation of waste.
- Provision of a kerbside recycling collection service for residential properties in Wellington City.
- Accepting reusable items at the Southern Landfill’s Tip Shop.
- Providing free recycling and discounted green waste drop off at Southern Landfill.
- A range of commercial recycling and recovery services including paper, cardboard, food waste, green waste, metals, e-waste and plastics.
What next?
We are now working on the technical studies to help with the design of the Landfill extension and to support our resource consent application that will be lodged in 2020.
These studies include:
o Odour and dust
o Landfill gas generation
o Noise and vibration
o Aquatic ecology
o Groundwater (hydrogeology)
o Geology and geotechnical
o Contaminated land
o Terrestrial ecology
o Landscape
o Assess impacts on traffic in and around the site
o Cultural values
o Archaeology
Want to know more?
We’re continuing to seek views from the community over the next few months.
For more information go to: https://www.letstalk.wellington.govt.nz/southern-landfill-future
If you’d like to know more about this project email us at Landfill@wcc.govt.nz to go on our update list or call us on (04) 499 4444.