Closed landfills

Existing approach generally retained with some amendments.

Key changes:

• Policy direction requiring the identification and remediation (if practicable) of closed landfills at risk of erosion/inundation
  
  
• No requirement to obtain consent for closed landfills if monitoring over 20 years shows contaminant levels are within 10% of background levels
  
  
• If the above conditions are not met, a controlled consent will be required.

Closed landfills do not require a consent if closed before 1991. 

Closed landfills require a consent and a closure plan if closed after 1991.  

Existing and new landfills

No changes. PC1 introduced management in accordance with Waste Management Institute New Zealand’s Technical Guidelines for Disposal to Land (October 2022), which is considered best practice, therefore no changes are needed.

Existing and new landfills 

Existing and new landfills require a discretionary consent and must comply with Waste Management Institute New Zealand’s Technical Guidelines for Disposal to Land (October 2022). 

Key changes: 

No consent needed if the discharge meets specific requirements including: 

• Setback 20 metres from water bodies and bores 
  
  
• Not in a drinking water protection zone 
  
  
• Less than 250 cubic metres per site per year 
  
  
• The material must contain the same or lower levels of and naturally occurring contaminants (such as arsenic) as the area of deposition. 
  
  

If the above permitted activity conditions are not met, a discretionary consent is required.

Key changes: 

• One rule framework for all organic waste.
• New definition: “organic waste: biodegradable vegetative material which includes compost and green waste and does not include any sewage, greywater, industrial or trade waste or agricultural waste.” 

• No consent needed if the discharge meets specific requirements, including: 

  • Setback 20 metres from surface water, coast, bores 
    
    
  • Setback 10 metres from any neighbouring dwelling 
    
    
  • Less than 250 cubic metres total organic waste 
    
    
  • No stock access
     
  • Not in a stormwater flow path 
    
    
  • Leachate must not enter water. 
    
    

If the permitted activity conditions are not met, a discretionary consent is required. 

No consent is needed for the disposal of green waste if no leachate enters a water body. If the permitted activity conditions are not met, a discretionary consent is required. 

No consent is needed for the disposal of compost if 51% of the material is generated from the same property. If the permitted activity conditions are not met, a discretionary consent is required.