Lyttelton reclamation update

The Lyttelton Port Company’s reclamation area, being filled with earthquake rubble under monitored resource consent conditions, incurred damage from sea surges last weekend. The boom or border wall around the reclamation area is now being strengthened, said Kim Drummond, Environment Canterbury Director Resource Management.

“In the interim, material has got into the sea and it appears that some has washed up on nearby beaches, including Southshore and Diamond Harbour,” he said.

He noted that the Lyttelton Port Company (LPC) stopped the dumping of material into the Coastal Marine Area until the boom was temporarily repaired this week. “This weekend (November 19 and 20), LPC will be strengthening the boom by adding stronger links.

“Lyttelton Port Company is repairing the damage and improving the reclamation area’s containment. LPC has also employed contractors to clean up beaches affected by floating rubbish. Environment Canterbury is satisfied they are responding as quickly as possible to minimise any environmental damage.

“The resource consent provides that five per cent of material to the reclamation may float, hence the boom is one of the mechanisms designed to contain floating debris. LPC is aiming to reject any truckloads of rubble containing large amounts of plastics or materials unwanted in the marine environment. It has improved its inspection and operating procedures to reduce the possibility of trucks containing unwanted materials getting through.”