The What:
1. Class 2 Landfill Consent – TRP is applying for a new Class 2 landfill consent. Class 2 landfill material includes:
- Clean fill material
- Managed fill materials – soil, clay and rock
- Construction and demolition waste
- Non-putrescible industrial waste (waste that does not readily decompose or decay e.g. glass or plastic)
- In addition to the above, the facility will remain consented to receive asbestos containing materials, asbestos impacted soils and coal tar.
2. Future plans / new cells – Included in the application is TRPs plan for the site – starting with the development of a new fully lined cell (Cell D) with future proposed cells also noted. See site plan.
3. New composting operation including blending area – Included in the application also is TRP’s proposal to establish a composting operation to manage green waste and organic matter as a future option.
The Why:
1. New Class 2 Landfill Consent – Although TRP’s current consent still has 17 years to run the nature and complexity of the consent isn’t fit for purpose to daily operations.
Under our current consents we can take and safely dispose of cleanfill, demolition and construction waste – including asbestos containing materials, coal tar and tyres. TRP is also permitted to take other contaminated materials. However, this is on a case-by-case approval basis from the WCRC.
This last part is quite unusual and cumbersome for everyone involved. Therefore, in this new application we are seeking a Class 2 landfill consent which clearly specifies everything that can be taken.
As is best practice our resource consent application includes an Operation Management Plan (OMP) which effectively becomes the agreed standard for the facility.
The OMP not only provides standard industry practices and waste acceptance criteria for TRP but will act as an operational management tool or set of standards to use when accepting waste. The same document then provides authorities with a framework to monitor TRP’s operations.
2. Future plans / new cells – TRP’s site plans have always included the development of new cells – as per original consent applications. TRP is now seeking to develop and bring Cell D into operation with locations for future proposed cells also identified.
3. New composting operation including blending area – This is a positive and very low risk proposal for future diversification of the site. Although TRP is seeking approval as part of this consent application it likely won’t develop this function for a number of years, as we want to optimise TRP’s core functions and facilities first.
Further details:
The applications will be supported by expert environmental effects assessments and technical reports and recommendations.
We anticipate that applications will be publicly notified the community has the opportunity to have formal say in the resource consent process.
Lodgement of the applications is planned for late-March/early-April 2025.
Feedback on the proposal, including any questions, is welcomed at any time. In particular, feedback received prior to lodgement/before the end of March will be considered when finalising the details of the application. Please email consentfeedback@taylorville.co.nz or click here for our feedback form.
FAQs:
What’s the purpose of Taylorville Resource Park (TRP)?
TRP is a specialised waste facility that services both local and South Island demolition and construction waste requirements.
TRP’s initial reason for being was the requirement to safely dispose of demolition materials from the Grey Hospital.
TRP’s existence continues to provide not only a vital service but also supports the local economy utilising local suppliers and service providers.
Additionally, the facility could become an important strategic asset in the event of a civil defence emergency - such as a significant earthquake - especially if the West Coast became isolated for a period as a result. As a modern demolition disposal facility with a low risk seismic profile, TRP could potentially help enable recovery and clean up while preserving municipal waste options at the West Coast Regional Council’s McLean’s Pit Landfill.
Additionally, the facility could become an important strategic asset in the event of a civil defence emergency - such as a significant earthquake - especially if the West Coast became isolated for a period as a result. As a modern demolition disposal facility with a low risk seismic profile, TRP could potentially help enable recovery and clean up while preserving municipal waste options at the West Coast Regional Council’s McLean’s Pit Landfill.
Does TRP need this new consent to operate?
No. TRP has 17 years remaining on its current resource consent.
This new application is more about simplifying and specifying everything clearly in order to effectively manage operations and monitoring.
How is water (groundwater and leachate) managed on site?
TRP has a comprehensive water management plan including a stand-alone erosion and sediment plan. The water management process utilises lined retention and sediment ponds that meet national landfill standards.
Management of water into cells or ponds and resulting leachate
Stormwater that falls on or adjacent to waste cells or ponds is directed into the cell / pond to prevent erosion (with the exception of Cell A where water is directed to a sump point west of the cell at the lowest point for maximum effectiveness).
The water from the cells is then pumped through a treatment system and into the site’s fully lined sediment and retention ponds. The sediment pond process helps to remove sediment from the water before it goes into the retention pond.
TRP plans to discharge the treated water using best practice scientific methodologies including the use of an on-site soakage area. Any such discharges (which are common practice for landfills) will have limited, if even measurable impacts, because of the water treatment and discharge processes undertaken Routine monitoring and independent off-site water testing will take place to ensure the water discharged does not exceed either human or ecological health-based criteria.
Management of stormwater across operational areas
As per the site’s erosion and sediment plan stormwater that falls on operational areas (e.g. roadways) is directed via roadside swales towards undisturbed areas of the site for infiltration through permeable gravels.
How do the cell liners work?
A geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) is a factory-manufactured hydraulic barrier consisting of a layer of bentonite or other very low-permeability material supported by geotextiles and/or geomembranes. These liners are used in various applications, including landfills, to prevent the migration of liquids and contaminants.
When used in a landfill, a GCL serves as a barrier system to protect the surrounding environment from leachate, which is the liquid that drains or 'leaches' from a landfill. The GCL is installed at the bottom of the landfill and as a cover on top. It consists of a thin layer of processed clay, usually bentonite, which is either bonded to a geomembrane or fixed between two sheets of geotextile.
The bentonite clay in the GCL has unique swelling properties that allow it to self-repair any rips or holes, ensuring a low hydraulic conductivity (i.e., low permeability). This makes GCLs highly effective at containing leachate and preventing it from contaminating groundwater.
What about the proposed composting facility?
This is more about a future option for the site, however TRP do want to explore the opportunity which could provide another valuable outlet for green waste and organic matter on the West Coast.
How is odour monitored and managed?
TRP constantly monitors odour on and near site.
In 2023, we acknowledge that things got a bit smelly there for a period, with some intermittent odour detected since then.
However, we took quick action in 2023 by installing a new filtration system and drainage infrastructure and more recently have installed secondary options to this with positive effect.
The consent applications will include expert air quality/odour assessments and management and monitoring measures for future operations.
TRP has actually had very few direct complaints about odour, we therefore encourage the community to reach out directly if they have any concerns so we can investigate promptly.
Does TRP pose a threat to the community’s water supply?
No - based on scientific reports from expert consultants engaged by both TRP and the West Coast Regional Council.
This includes a hydrological assessment, an impact report and a geotechnical report which assess the risk to the Grey District water supply from TRP as ‘low’ or ‘very low’, even in the event of a significant earthquake.
Key details:
- TRP sits on thick Kaiata Mudstone (papa), about 15–20 m under the site, which acts as a natural liner. Because of this, groundwater flows laterally in the overlying gravel deposit before coming to the surface in a series of natural springs that run around the flank of the site. The gravel deposits are tens of millions of years old have been cemented together by minerals to make a strong formation that transmits water very slowly, so the total volume of water coming from the site is very low.
- TRP is located downstream (not upstream) and approximately 300m north to 360m northwest of the intake for the Coal Creek Water Treatment Plant.
- The elevation of the groundwater has been measured to work out the direction of groundwater flow and has shown that it is to the west-southwest, away from the water treatment plant. What this means is that the water coming from under the site would need to flow uphill and/or against the flow of water in the Grey River in order to reach the water supply.
- Water samples have been collected from the closest drain to TRP since 2023 and lab tested to identify any changes in water quality that might pose a risk to human health. To date, concentrations have generally been within the range of natural concentrations in groundwater. More importantly, none of the samples collected have contained concentrations that exceed the maximum acceptable values (human health criteria) in the New Zealand Drinking Water Standards.
Feeback on this proposal:
If you have any further questions, require information or would like to feedback on this proposal please don’t hesitate to get in touch via consentfeedback@taylorville.co.nz
Other resources:
- Site plan
- Full Resource Consent Application – pending submission to WCRC.
- Key reports – pending application submission.