Levin landfill: Environmental management review

The Levin landfill is located in the Horowhenua District, four kilometres west of Levin. A landfill of some kind has existed on the site since the 1950s. For many years local residents have been concerned about the environmental effects of the landfill site, particularly given its proximity to the Hokio Stream. Some of those concerns were addressed through resource consent conditions in 2002. However, others have remained unresolved.

As a result of complaints made by concerned local citizens, my predecessor, Dr Morgan Williams, initiated an investigation in 2004. On taking office in 2007, I reviewed that investigation and, in light of ongoing concerns, decided to bring the investigation to a conclusion. This report contains findings from the investigation and recommendations for future landfill development and management.

The investigation has focused on the management of the site since resource consents were granted in 2002. It is not a review of historic issues raised before those consents were granted. The report aims to provide constructive guidance and advice to the two local councils about future management of the Levin landfill site, and to address local community concerns.

My recommendations to Horowhenua District Council, the consent holder for the site, and to Horizons Regional Council, the regulating authority, are listed on pages 21 to 24 of the report. Particular note has been made of a proposed notified consent review. This is an opportunity for the local community to participate in the decision-making process, and for the councils to address identified operational issues and community concerns via revised consent conditions. Recommendations have also been made regarding long-term planning for waste in the district; both through the need to plan for alternatives and the development of long-term policies that promote waste minimisation and alternative disposal methods.

More recently, I have become aware of local concerns about waste being imported to the site from outside the district. I have also received a complaint about piping leachate from the site. Both of these issues are outside the terms of reference for this report. However, there would be merit in the two local authorities considering these issues further when looking at the consent conditions for this site, as well as the long-term plans for waste in the district more generally.

The completion of this report has been helped greatly by the cooperation of both the local councils and the local community, and I would like to thank them for their assistance throughout the investigation.

Dr Jan Wright
Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment