There are fears historic landfill sites like this one in McCormacks Bay could cause an ecological disaster like what occurred at the Fox Glacier landfill last year. Avon Heathcote Estuary Ihutai Trust manager Tanya Jenkins is worried they could lead to a similar disaster to what happened at Fox Glacier. University of Otago associate geography professor Mike Hilton said the landfill sites posed a threat to the environment and recreational areas. The city council is planning to spend nearly $1.5 million shoring up the old Bexley landfill to prevent further erosion. Residents on the West Coast are still finding rubbish on beaches after last year's flood ripped open the Fox Glacier landfill.

Source: Otago Daily Times July 29, 2020 20:26 UTC