Landfills, rubbish dumps and tips
The disposal of refuse and rubbish can result in discharges of contaminants to land, air (dust and gases), or water. Discharges to land are controlled in the Regional Plan for Discharges to Land. Discharges to air associated with landfills (dust, landfill gas, odour) are controlled in the Regional Air Quality Management Plan. Discharges of stormwater from landfill sites, or diversions of water around landfills, are controlled in the Regional Freshwater Plan.
Cleanfills are covered separately.
Discharges to land
Rule 9 of the Regional Plan for Discharges to Land permits discharges to land at farm and domestic dumps, provided the discharge complies with conditions stated in the rule.
Rule 10 requires a discharge permit for all landfills, rubbish dumps and tips that do not comply with the conditions in Rule 9, or are not farm or domestic dumps. This is a discretionary activity.
Discharges to air (dust, landfill gas, odour)
Rule 20 of the Regional Air Quality Management Plan permits the discharge of contaminants to air from farm and domestic landfills provided the discharge complies with conditions stated in the rule.
Rule 23 of the Regional Air Quality Management Plan requires a discharge permit for all waste transfer stations, and for landfills that do not comply with the conditions in Rule 20. This rule also applies to cleanfill operations. This is a discretionary activity.
Clause 6 of the regulations of the National Environmental Standards for air quality prohibit lighting fires and burning waste at landfills.
Stormwater from landfills
Rule 3 of the Regional Freshwater Plan requires a discharge permit for discharges of stormwater from landfills to water because such stormwater contains hazardous substances in the leachate. This is a controlled activity provided the discharge complies with the standards and terms stated in the rule.
Rule 2 of the Regional Freshwater Plan permits discharges of stormwater if it does not contain drainage from an area where hazardous substances are stored or used, or there is an interceptor in place to collect hazardous contaminants or divert contaminated stormwater to a trade waste system.
Rule 5 of the Regional Freshwater Plan requires a discharge permit for all discharges to water unless the discharge is of water, minor contaminants, or stormwater. This is a discretionary activity.