Moanataiari Project

In this section:

Background

In October and November 2011, the Waikato Regional Council conducted soil tests at the Moanataiari subdivision in Thames to find out if the soil was contaminated.

The testing occurred because of the subdivisions known history as reclaimed land using burden and tailings from local mines in the early to mid-twentieth Century.

Preliminary results back from the tests indicate that there are elevated levels of naturally occurring arsenic in the soil and sub straights. The arsenic is not an introduced chemical in the mining process, but a naturally occurring trace element often found alongside other minerals and elements like gold.

Excavations

Until further analysis of results has been carried out, the Thames-Coromandel District Council and the Waikato Regional Council recommend that people refrain from digging on their properties.

Project Plan

The Council has approved the Moanataiari project plan and project budget.

Testing will begin in earnest in the New Year, including on private properties and testing around the greater-Thames area to investigate the naturally occurring background levels of arsenic.

The project (to phase 4) is jointly funded by the Ministry for the Environment (50%), Waikato Regional Council (25%) and Thames-Coromandel District Council (25%). This budget takes the project from the testing phases through to the development of the response and mitigation options for residents.

The actual response phase of the project, which includes any physical remediation or other practical mitigation options, will require new a funding application to the MfE in the New Year.

Project Phases

The project plan has two phases occurring at the same time, which are the testing of private properties at Moanataiari and the Health Risk Assessment (HRA).

Response action planning will occur after both of these phases have been completed.

This will ensure the action planning part of the project can be developed by the experts with full information, given the probability we live in an area that has high naturally occurring mineralisation.

From the testing starting in January or February 2012, until the completion of any physical works in July 2013, the project will take approximately 18 months to complete. This is due to the size and scale of the project, which will require approximately 200 individual response plans to be developed and implemented. 


Phase One - Initial Testing Programme

COMPLETED

Phase Two - Moanataiari Private Property Testing
  • 13 January 2012 COMPLETED
    Tenders close for testing programme contractor - begin booking 'testing' appointments
  • 24 January 2012 COMPLETED
    Tender awarded (by Governance Group)
  • 25 January 2012 COMPLETED
    Contractor on-site, begins work programme
  • 15 May 2012 COMPLETED
    Testing completed and raw data sent to residents
  • June 2012
    Final property reports completed
  • June/July 2012 
    Communication with individual property owners about their results
Phase Three - Health Risk Assessment
  • May/June 2012 initial HRA trial
  • June/July 2012 - Governance Group decision to extend trial to a full HRA
Phase Four - Response Action Planning
  • July 2012 - September 2012
  • September 2012 -  Communication with individual property owners about their plans
Phase Five - Remedial Works
  • September 2012 - January 2013 (New funding application, planning, tenders etc)
  • January 2013 - July 2013 - Physical works

Send us your questions

Given the project will take approximately 18 months to complete, we understand the need to give you as much practical advice as possible to help you manage as you go about your normal activities.

Please send us your questions and we'll answer them as fast as possible or call us on 07 868 0200 (ask for Ben Day or Sam Napia).

Permission to test

We need your permission to test the soil on your property. Please download this form and drop it in at your nearest Service Centre  or post it to us. 

eNewseltter for Thames Area

Join the Thames Area eNewsletter and stay informed about this project.

Important Background Documents

Key Contacts

Thames-Coromandel District Council

For general enquiries:
Sam Napia, Group Manager Environmental Services
Phone: 07 868 0253
sam.napia@tcdc.govt.nz

For general and media enquiries:
Benjamin Day, Communications Manager
Phone: 07 868 0253
ben.day@tcdc.govt.nz

Waikato Regional Council

Soil testing and science related enquiries:
Dominique Noiton, Programme Manager Water, Air & Waste
Phone: 0800 800 401

Media enquiries:
Stephen Ward, Senior Communications Advisor
Phone: 07 859 0782
Stephen.Ward@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Waikato District Health Board

General public health enquiries: 
Health Protection Unit 
Phone: 07 838 2569

Personal health enquiries:
Contact your local GP or Medical Centre; they have been briefed by the District Health Board and will be able to assist you with personal health enquiries.

Ministry for the Environment

Media enquiries:
Joanna Carr
Joanna.Carr@mfe.govt.nz

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