Council dumps toxic sludge

The toxic material is from Lower Hutt's Waiwhetu Stream – considered one of New Zealand's most polluted waterways.

Wainuiomata residents have received an apology from council officials who must now remove 15 truckloads of material from the Waiu St site.

Officials say the council had not realised the material was high in lead. A mixup meant senior staff were not told about the situation but they deny there was a "cover-up".

"We are working hard to put this right and apologise to the community for this error," chief executive David Benham said.

Local MP Trevor Mallard says the council's actions are "almost unbelievable". "This is a very well-funded major project and I just can not understand the council not doing their job properly."

Residents were assured the material was not contaminated, at a public meeting on November 27.

However, after concerns were raised, sampling revealed lead levels of 400 parts per million – twice the safe limit, and high enough to harm the environment.

Officials could not be sure there was no risk to human health, Mr Benham said. "So we are taking a precautionary approach and removing the material."

When the area was excavated a month ago, contractors said they suspected material being dumped at Waiu St was contaminated.

However, neither senior managers nor Greater Wellington councillors were aware of the situation at the time of the meeting.

"This is an issue of major regret and is being attended to internally," Mr Benham said. "There was no cover-up. This was poor judgment by a staff member."

The council has asked contractors to remove 15 truckloads of material to clean up the site.

A contractor feared for the safety of his staff, after threats were made by a member of the public to drivers unloading material at Waiu St.

The material is to be removed and taken to Silverstream landfill, which can take contaminated waste.

Mr Mallard wants an assurance no polluted material will be left at the site.

"The idea the council could ... not understand that it was polluted when they dump it beggars belief."

An Environment Ministry spokeswoman said the ministry could not prosecute councils.

A $6.5 million project to clean up the stream began in July. It is funded by $3m from the ministry, with the balance paid by the regional council and Hutt City Council.

The material that went to Wainuiomata came from work to enlarge the stream for flood protection, not from the most contaminated zone.

The Waiu St landfill's resource consent has lapsed, amid complaints from local people over height and a lack of landscaping.

Operator Paddy Hannan has said he will seek a new consent.

- © Fairfax NZ News