Covering the dump was supposed to be finished last June, but now the completion date is set for 2015. Why, ask Smales Rd residents, are we still waiting? Joanna Davies reports
High above the houses, shops and offices around Smales Rd in East Tamaki, trucks and diggers drive through with mounds of earth.
They are moving fill to cover the old Greenmount tip, a project that was supposed to be finished last June.
But the Envirowaste Services company has asked for more time to finish the work, with a completion date pushed out to 2015. It's no surprise then, to learn that some residents are concerned the project is taking too long.
``If we're not careful and keeping an eye on it, it could go on forever,' says Tony Roberts, who lives near the dump's eastern edge.
``The neighbours just want a nice green space that's open to the public.'
Problems include noise and dust from the earthworks.
``But Envirowaste have said they are making it a priority to finish work on the eastern side first, where the houses are,' says Mr Roberts.
Envirowaste has asked Manukau City Council for more time because the company wants to add an extra metre of fill over the entire site.
``Originally, Envirowaste were putting 900mm of fill on. But since they started in 2005, peer reviews have said that they should be putting 2m on top,' says Mr Roberts.
``This would mean they will need to bring in nearly one million metres of fill.'
The company should be credited for putting in more fill as a safety precaution, he says. But it will take longer to get enough fill to finish the work because of the costs and the current economic climate.
Michael Graeme owns commercial properties near the landfill, and supports Envirowaste taking the extra measures.
``But we have had to put up with many trucks going past and parking on our property, and it will be good when that is finished.'
A commissioners' hearing was held in March, but a decision has not been released.
Envirowaste's national manager for post collections, Chris Lobb, says the company is unable to comment because a decision has not been made on the resource consent.
``We understand the decision will be notified in the next 30 days.'
FRESH DUMPS The Greenmount tip was used from 1980 to 2005. The 54ha site has two 50m-high mounds of fill, and one mound 40m-high. The original consent ran out in June last year, but Envirowaste can continue work on the site because the company filed for a time extension six months before the consent expired. The landfill is likely to become a public park once the work is finished.
What on earth?
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