Works to begin on Orini clean-up
15 February 2017
Following an early-morning Karakia on the site this week, works are set to begin to cover and contain exposed wood waste
on the banks of the Orini Stream.
The Orini site, near the Keepa Road Bridge, is one of more than 30 known contaminated wood waste sites in the Whakatāne
district. These sites are a legacy of the historic use of sawmill waste and other miscellaneous fill to reclaim
low-lying land. Some of this waste is known to contain chemicals that may be harmful to human health after prolonged
exposure. The key to ensuring that exposure is minimised at these sites is to maintain a capping or containment layer
over the wood waste.
On the Orini site, the water flow in the river has scoured the bank out over time, exposing wood waste and fill along
one of the banks. Works will commence soon to re-cover this area with clean fill and add a rock embankment to ensure
that the river cannot erode the area again [rock armouring]. There will also be significant riparian planting, with
natural vegetation following the earthworks, to enhance and help restore the area to a more natural state.
Whakatane District Council is responsible for the works, while the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, will oversee the
project.
WDC Strategic Project Manager Jeff Farrell said the erosion issue had brought to the Council’s attention by a member of
the public some time ago. “The erosion has become more obvious recently and we are getting the remedial works underway
as quickly as possible, under emergency works provisions for consent processes. It has taken some time to get budget for
the project, plan the rock works, consult with the different interested parties and arrange for contractors, but we now
look forward to seeing the work completed within the next few weeks.”
BOPRC Works Engineer, Arch Delahunty, said the contractor will be getting works underway before the end of February.
“We expect that the first few days will be devoted to site set-up and ensuring all of the materials needed, such as rip
rap, clay and silt, are available,” Mr Delahunty said.
“People might notice that the stream level is low while the works are carried out, as we will be keeping the floodgates
closed for the duration of the project.”
Works on the site are expected to be completed by mid-March, with the wood waste area safely protected by layers of
clay, geotextile cloth, top soil and rock armouring. A planting programme will be implemented in winter, once the site
has stabilised, to create a more natural stream bank area.
Ends