Latest update March 2020
Here’s a recap of where we’re at:
- Alternatives have been investigated and the option for the immediate future has been determined – extending the Landfill.
- Technical studies to assist with the design are being finalised.
- A draft concept design for the extension has been developed.
Background
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 (Gross Domestic Product) 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.
We evaluated the waste management alternatives
In November 2019, we evaluated the waste management alternatives to landfill.
If you are interested in more details about the alternatives and the assessment process read the full report or check out the future of the Southern Landfill on Let’s Talk.
The future of the southern landfill
Residual Waste Management in Wellington City - Alternatives Assessment (2.1MB PDF)
Engaging with the community
We’ve been talking to the community about the best way to manage waste for Wellington City in the future, you can find out more at letstalk.wellington.govt.nz/southern-landfill-future.
What next?
We are finalising the technical studies to help with the detailed design of the Landfill extension and to support our resource consent application that will be lodged in 2020. We will continue to talk with, and seek feedback from, interested parties prior to finalising the design.
The technical studies include:
- Air:
- Odour and dust
- Landfill gas generation
- Noise and vibration
- Water:
- Aquatic ecology
- Groundwater (hydrogeology)
- Land:
- Geology and geotechnical
- Contaminated land
- Terrestrial ecology
- Landscape
- Roads:
- Assess impacts on traffic in and around the site
- People:
- Cultural values
- Archaeology
We’ll be showing the final design to the community prior to lodging resource consent applications.
Want to know more?
For more information go to: 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.