MEDIA STATEMENT
Contamination Investigation at Former Bankside World War II Fuel Depot Receives Government Funding
Environment Canterbury (ECan) and Selwyn Plantation Board Limited (SPBL) have welcomed the Government’s decision to
provide funding of just over $100,000 towards the investigation of the former Bankside World War II fuel depot.
ECan made the funding application to the Ministry for the Environment’s (MfE) Contaminated Sites Remediation Fund (CSRF)
on behalf of SPBL in April 2008. The funding will assist with the investigation and clean up of the former fuel
“The former Bankside fuel depot has been used as an illegal dumping ground since the 1980s. Waste materials include
agrichemical and paint containers, car bodies and batteries, and a range of other forms of general domestic refuse. The
funding allocated will enable a detailed programme of investigative and remedial work to be prepared and executed,” said
ECan contaminated sites team leader Brett Mongillo.
“The majority of the clean up, which may be in the order of several million dollars, will be funded by SPBL; along with
the $100,000 allocation from the CSRF and a contribution from ECan towards investigation costs. The project can now
commence this year.”
Brett Mongillo said that the risk to the environment from the contaminated waste was currently not completely understood
and therefore required a thorough investigation following removal of the waste. The site is listed as a Heritage Site
in the Selwyn District Plan and recently received a Category II registration from the Historic Places Trust The pit may
become an historic visitor attraction in the future.
ends