Contaminated Sites Remediation Fund priority list

The Contaminated Sites Remediation Fund priority list is made up of the 10 contaminated sites in New Zealand that are prioritised for government funding.

The 10 priority sites

1.  Historic Christchurch Landfill

Location Christchurch
CSRF Funded projects

Current Phase: Phase 4 – Remediation (2018/19)

Council Environment Canterbury

Site description

The site includes several residential properties impacted by historical landfilling. Several investigations have taken place on individual properties, mainly because of insurance works after the Canterbury Earthquakes in 2010/11 which identified fill material and exceedances of relevant human health guidelines.

HAIL Category: G3

2.  Victoria Battery

Location Waikino
CSRF Funded projects

Current Projects: Phase 2 - Site Investigation (2022/23)

Council Waikato Regional Council

Site description

The former Victoria Battery Mine is located on Public Conservation Land known as the Victoria Battery Historic Reserve, within the area encompassed by the Karangahake Goldfield in the Hauraki District. The basic gold extraction processes used in the Karangahake Goldfield had the potential to release contaminants of concern such as trace elements, cyanides, and sulphides into the environment.

HAIL Category: E7, D5, D4, A17, B2, D2, F6, G5, and I

3.  Puhipuhi Mine

Location Whangarei
CSRF Funded projects  Current Projects:
Phase 2 - Site Investigation
Phase 3 - Remedial Planning (2020/21)
Council  Northland Regional Council

Site description

The mine site occupies an area of about 5 ha within the 32.5 ha of the Waikiore Conservation Area and is a significant historic site in Whangarei. Between 191 0 and 1945, the mining of cinnabar and disposal of waste tailings resulted in the contamination of the surrounding soils and nearby watercourses. The historic mine site is potentially impacted by a variety of contamination sources such as infrastructure, buildings, and the mining activities. The full extent of contamination is unknown.

HAIL Categories: E7, G3, G5, A17, D5, E.1 and I

4.  Waikanae Stream

Location Gisborne
CSRF Funded projects  Past Project: Phase 2 – Site Investigation (2016/17)
Council  Gisborne District Councill

Site description

There are a number of industrial and landfill sites situated in the Waikanae Stream catchment. These sites are potentially discharging contaminants into the stream and negatively affecting human and environmental health

HAIL Category: I

5.  Tokatea Mine Complex

Location Coromandel
CSRF Funded projects  Current Projects: Phase 2 - Site Investigation (2022/23)
Council  Waikato Regional Council

Site description

Tokatea Mines were constructed in 1868 and operated in varying capacities through until 1935. The basic gold extraction processes used in the Historical Gold Mines in Coromandel had the potential to release contaminants of concern such as trace elements, cyanides, and sulphides into the environment.

HAIL Category: E.7, D4, and I

6.  Ocean Beach Landfill

Location Bluff
CSRF Funded projects Current Projects: Phase 3 - Remedial Planning (2021/22)
Council  Southland Regional Council

Site description

Asbestos was discovered at the beach adjacent to the former Frozen Meat Company freezing works. Historically, the rear of the former freezing works has been used to carry out landfilling and rubbish dumping. The full extent of landfilling in the area is unknown. The site is popular tourist area as it provides access to the Foveaux Walkway near Bluff Hill and was the site of the former Te Wera Pa and is a significant Kaitiaki site.

HAIL Category: G3

7.  Oamaru Gasworks

Location Oamaru
CSRF Funded projects  Current Project: Phase 2 - Site Investigation (2021/22)
Council  Otago Regional Council

Site description

The Oamaru Gasworks operated from 1876 to 1980 resulting in soil contamination from contaminants characteristic of gas-making facilities and from waste materials dumped on the site during the demolition of the facility in 1983. The site is only partially capped or sealed and therefore, migration of contaminants and erosion of an area of the coastline, are potentially occurring on site.

HAIL Category A7, and E5

8.  Onehunga Aquifer

Location Auckland
CSRF Funded projects  Past Projects: Phase 2 – Site Investigation (2015/2016)
Council  Auckland Council

Site description

The former New Zealand Farmers Fertiliser Works operated from 1910 to 1984. Fertiliser products were manufactured, stored, and handled onsite. Contamination of the site, groundwater and surface water was caused by on-site storage of raw material and effluent. Off-site effluent discharges have also affected nearby waterways including the Miami Stream and Manukau Harbour

HAIL Category: A6, and H

9.  Godley Head Reserve

Location Christchurch
CSRF Funded projects Current Project: Phase 4 – Remediation (2022/23)
Council Environment Canterbury

Site description

Awaroa Godley Head Reserve sits on the northern headland at the entrance to Whakaraupō/Lyttleton Harbour. The site of a coastal defence operation during the WWII, and the site of a lighthouse from the 19th century, it comprises a collection of buildings, structures and ruins associated with the military and lighthouse operations where maintenance and demolition has resulted in the soil in these areas becoming contaminated.

HAIL Category: E1, A7, C1, and I

10.  Concours Electroplaters

Location Timaru
CSRF Funded projects 

Past Projects:
Phase 2 - Site Investigation
Phase 3 - Remedial Planning (2019/20)

Council  Environment Canterbury

Site description

A former electroplating works was used to store large volumes of hazardous chemicals. A preliminary site investigation which took place in June 2016 indicated that the soil on the site may be contaminated from the electroplating works and hazardous waste stored on the site. The hazardous waste was removed from the site in late 2016. Further investigation has been undertaken to determine the extent of contamination on the site and the preferred remedial option that will inform development of the RAP.

HAIL Categories: D3, A4, and A17

Find out more

For further information on a site on the CSRF Priority List please contact the relevant regional council.