Report
Penlink - Preliminary Site Investigation
(Contamination)
Prepared for Auckland Transport
Prepared by Beca Limited (Beca)
27 May 2014
Penlink - Preliminary Site Investigation (Contamination)
Revision History
Revision Nº
Prepared By
Description
Date
1
Kate Ward
Draft for Client review
15.05.14
2
Kate Ward
Draft for Auckland Council Review
27.05.2014
3
Kate Ward
Final
27.05.2014
Signed
Date
4
5
Document Acceptance
Action
Name
Prepared by
Kate Ward
27.05.14
Reviewed by
Phillip Ware
27.05.14
Approved by
Rob Mason
27.05.14
on behalf of
Beca Ltd
© Beca 2013 (unless Beca has expressly agreed otherwise with the Client in writing).
This report has been prepared by Beca on the specific instructions of our Client. It is solely for our Client’s use for the purpose for which
it is intended in accordance with the agreed scope of work. Any use or reliance by any person contrary to the above, to which Beca has
not given its prior written consent, is at that person's own risk.
Beca // 27 May 2014
4214919 // NZ1-8851223-25 3.1 // i
Penlink - Preliminary Site Investigation (Contamination)
Executive Summary
Beca Ltd has been commissioned by Auckland Transport to undertake a Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI)
to assess the potential for soil contamination within the area designated for the Penlink project, between SH1
and the intersection of Whangaparaoa Road and Beverley Road.
The assessment included a review of historical photographs, the Auckland Council Site Contamination
Enquiry, discharge consents on and near the designation, the property files held by the Auckland Council,
local geology and hydrogeology, and other historical information made available during the investigation.
No significant areas of contamination have been identified during the desk study. No activities have been
identified which are reasonably likely to cause widespread and significant soil contamination issues.
There are isolated activities taking place within or in close proximity to the Penlink designation which have
the potential to cause localised contamination. These activities are:
n
n
n
n
n
n
Horticultural activities including market gardens, orchards, intensive cropping, greenhouses and nurseries [A10 of
Hazardous Activities and Industries List (HAIL)],
In some localised areas reports have indicated fill from unconfirmed sources may have been deposited within the
designation [potential G3 of HAIL],
Farm activities which can include activities such as offal pits, rubbish infill pits, sheep dips, agrichemical storage, use
of oil and fuels including fuel tanks. A diesel fuel tank was confirmed as being present on Part Lot 3 DP 95982.
Staining on the soil beneath the tank indicated fuel had been spilled from the tank, likely leading to localised soil
contamination [A17 of HAIL],
The property located at 570-574 Whangaparaoa Road has been identified as contaminated land resulting from a
former BP Service station on the property. However, the designation does not include this property as part of the
proposed works [A17 of HAIL].
The possible use of a pasture as a WWII firing range, although only a small area of works occur within this field [C2 of
HAIL],
Potential coal tar used in construction of Whangaparaoa Road [G5 of HAIL]
The confirmed HAIL sites identified are:
n
n
A diesel fuel tank on Part Lot 3 DP 95982; and
The length of Whangaparaoa Road within the extent of works.
The above uses have the potential to have caused localised soil contamination in the form of hydrocarbons
from fuel storage spills and contamination from Gas Works waste and hydrocarbon migration along
Whangaparaoa Road. The type of contamination which is likely to have arisen from the above uses is
unlikely to present a risk far from the individual uses extent. Consequently there is a low risk of any
contamination being present which would prevent the area from being developed as roading.
For this reason a Detailed Site Investigation (DSI) has not been completed for the pieces of land identified
above, and this PSI is sufficient to support a resource consent under the Resource Management (National
Environmental Standard for Assessing and Managing Contaminants in Soil to Protect Human Health)
Regulations 2011 Regulations (NES)as a Discretionary Activity. A contaminated soils management plan can
be appropriately required as part of the environmental management plan conditions, and the suite of
activities and effects that plan is designed to address.
Beca // 27 May 2014
4214919 // NZ1-8851223-25 3.1 // ii
Penlink - Preliminary Site Investigation (Contamination)
Contents
1
2
Introduction
2
1.1
Purpose
2
1.2
Project Description
2
Site Description
5
2.1
Location and Area
5
2.2
Current Site Uses and Activities
5
2.3
Surrounding Land Use
5
2.4
Geology and Hydrogeology
5
3
Methodology
6
4
Information Search and Site Visit
7
4.1
Property File
7
4.2
Site Contamination Enquiry
8
4.3
Historical Aerial Photographs
9
4.4
Site Walkover
10
4.5
Potential for Coal Tar
11
4.6
Summary of Potential Contamination Issues
12
5
Discussion
13
5.1
National Environmental Standard
13
5.2
HAIL sites
13
5.3
Consenting approach
13
Appendices
Appendix A
Site Plans
Appendix B
Property File
Appendix C
Auckland Council Site Contamination Enquiry
Appendix D
Historical Aerial Photographs
Appendix E
Site Walkover Photographs
Beca // 27 May 2014
4214919 // NZ1-8851223-25 3.1 // page 1
Penlink - Preliminary Site Investigation (Contamination)
1
Introduction
Beca Limited (Beca) has been commissioned by Auckland Transport to undertake a contaminated land
Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI) for the area of land designated for the Penlink project. This project will
provide a link between SH1 to the west (near Redvale) and the Whangaparaoa Peninsula in the east. While
this project was first designated and consented in 2001, the proposed design has been updated and now
requires an alternation to the existing Penlink designation. The design has been improved to include:
n
n
n
n
n
n
An arterial road with up to two lanes in each direction;
A grade-separated interchange (with south facing) to SH1, that provides for a potential connection to the future
development at Dairy Flat and accommodates the future extension of the northern busway, as well as providing a
connection to East Coast Road;
Safety improvements for the local road connections at Weiti Station / Weiti Forest Park and at Duck Creek Road;
A signalised intersection with Whangaparaoa Road; and
A separate shared path for pedestrians and cyclists across the Weiti Bridge between Stillwater and Whangaparaoa;
and
Provisions for a 2.5m wide, sealed shoulder along the main line of Penlink that can accommodate cyclists.
1.1
Purpose
This assessment is based on desk top review of available information to identify any known potential
contaminated land issues that could affect the development and use of the alignment.
This report also provides a summary of likely obligations under the Resource Management (National
Environmental Standard for Assessing and Managing Contaminants in Soil to Protect Human Health)
Regulations 2011 Regulations (NES).
1.2
Project Description
Penlink is a new 7km arterial link proposed between State Highway 1 (SH1) and Whangaparaoa Road.
Penlink will relieve traffic on Whangaparaoa Road and the Hibiscus Coast Highway and improve travel times
and journey reliability in the area. Improved connections will facilitate planned growth (e.g. in Whangaparaoa
and Silverdale) and support economic activity (e.g. Dairy Flat and Silverdale).
1.2.1
Project History
Penlink is a legacy project developed by Rodney District Council (RDC) over 15 years ago. The Project
provides a link between SH1 to the west (near Redvale) and the Whangaparaoa Peninsula at Stanmore Bay
in the east. Since 1996, a substantial amount of work has been completed including design, designation,
consenting and development of a toll strategy.
Investigations first commenced in the 1970’s and following environmental assessment work in 1998 the
original scheme (base design) was designated and consented in 2001 as a 7km standard arterial road
connection with:
n
n
Two lanes (single lane in each direction);
A 540m bridge over the Weiti River. The bridge provided for up to three lanes (including a peak flow tidal lane), with a
public walkway/cycleway on one side of the Bridge; and
Beca // 27 May 2014
4214919 // NZ1-8851223-25 3.1 // page 2
Penlink - Preliminary Site Investigation (Contamination)
n
A new roundabout or signalised intersection where it meets Whangaparaoa Road. Widening of Whangaparaoa Road
between Brightside Road and Arklow Lane.
Land purchase for the existing designation was completed in 2007 however due to funding and programming
issues, the further design and construction of Penlink was not progressed.
1.2.2
Proposed design
Auckland Transport is seeking both new resource consents and to change existing Resource Management
Act (RMA) approvals to provide for improvements in the base design that better achieve the project
objectives including:
n
n
n
n
n
n
An arterial road with up to two lanes in each direction;
A grade-separated interchange (with south facing) to SH1, that provides for a potential connection to the future
development at Dairy Flat and accommodates the future extension of the northern busway, as well as providing a
connection to East Coast Road;
Safety improvements for the local road connections at Weiti Station / Weiti Forest Park and at Duck Creek Road;
A signalised intersection with Whangaparaoa Road; and
A separate shared path for pedestrians and cyclists across the Weiti Bridge between Stillwater and Whangaparaoa;
and
Provisions for a 2.5m wide, sealed shoulder along the main line of Penlink that can accommodate cyclists.
1.2.3
Planning context
There are a number of statutory approvals already in place for the project. The route is designated with a
suite of conditions in the operative Auckland District Plan – Rodney section. The designation has been ‘rolled
over’ into the proposed Auckland Unitary Plan (PAUP). Auckland Transport as the requiring authority will be
serving an alteration to this designation to provide for the proposed design changes.
There are existing regional resource consents in place to enable the operation of the road for the base
design (stormwater discharges and coastal occupation and use). The coastal consents will be varied to
provide for the proposed design and the stormwater consent will be used as the existing environment for a
replacement consent. Construction consents for land disturbance, temporary stormwater, coastal
construction, land contamination, groundwater and stream works have lapsed and will be applied for in the
suite of regional consents sought.
1.2.4
Project overview
Penlink has been separated into five sections for assessment purposes:
1)
Redvale Interchange
2)
Redvale to Duck Creek Road
3)
Duck Creek Road
4)
Weiti Crossing and Approaches
5)
Weiti Crossing to Whangaparaoa Road
Beca // 27 May 2014
4214919 // NZ1-8851223-25 3.1 // page 3
Penlink - Preliminary Site Investigation (Contamination)
Figure 1 – Penlink Project Sections
Section 1 relates to the Redvale Interchange at the western end of the alignment. Section 1 includes half
diamond south facing ramps connecting to State Highway 1 and bridge to future proof the northern busway
and a roundabout connection at East Coast Road enabling access and egress from Penlink.
Section 2 relates to Redvale to Duck Creek Road. This part of the alignment includes four lanes with
shoulders that can accommodate cyclist and connections to Weiti Station and Weiti Forest Park
developments.
Section 3 relates to the Duck Creek Road area and includes grade separated connections in both directions
from Duck Creek Road to Penlink and a dedicated pedestrian and cycle connection to Whangaparaoa Road.
Section 4 relates to the Weiti Crossing and the western and eastern approaches. From the west this area will
consist of an approximately 100m approach viaduct followed by a 540m long bridge 40m above the Weiti
River. The bridge includes a dedicated pedestrian and cycle facility.
Section 5 relates to the Whangaparaoa area east of the Weiti Crossing. This section includes the termination
of Penlink where it connects via traffic lights to Whangaparaoa Road north of Cedar Terrace.
A more detailed description of the project is contained in the Assessment of Environmental Effects.
Descriptions of project elements relevant to this technical assessment as described in section 2 and 4.4.
Beca // 27 May 2014
4214919 // NZ1-8851223-25 3.1 // page 4
Penlink - Preliminary Site Investigation (Contamination)
2
Site Description
2.1 Location and Area
The Penlink designation begins in the west near the intersection of East Coast Road and Okura Road, and
travels east until it crosses the Weiti River inlet north of Stillwater. It then intersects with Whangaparaoa
Road at the intersection with Beverley Road. The full path taken by the designation is shown in Appendix A.
2.2 Current Site Uses and Activities
The majority of the area of land included in the designation is currently rural, with the predominant land uses
being pasture and pine forest plantation. The designation includes part of Whangaparaoa Road in the east
and SH1 and East Coast Road in the west. In areas between the Weiti River inlet and Whangaparaoa Road
the designation passes through an area predominantly consisting of native bush. The area where the road
will cross the Weiti River inlet has been identified as a Moorings area in the proposed PAUP. In addition the
coastal wetlands in this area are identified as Marine 1 Ecological areas in the PAUP. The PAUP also
identifies an aquifer located to the east of the Weiti River inlet
Forests adjoining the Weiti River inlet to the east and west are also identified as significant ecological areas
under the PAUP.
2.3
Surrounding Land Use
The surrounding land uses west of the Weiti River inlet are predominantly pine forest plantation and rural
pasture. To the east between the inlet and Whangaparaoa Road is predominantly agricultural land and
native forest, coupled with residential properties around Cedar Terrace and Scott road. Areas of cropping
and an old glasshouse are located immediately south of the designation. At the intersection of
Whangaparaoa Road and Beverley road there is a small commercial area. The remaining area east of
Whangaparaoa Road is residential.
2.4
Geology and Hydrogeology
1
The north south orientated East Coast Bays Fault bounds two distinct geological units. The Whangaparaoa
Peninsula, western shore of the Weiti River and Stillwater township contains weathered Waitemata Group
siltstones and sandstones. The soils vary from silty clays to sands and are up to 30m deep. The Weiti
Stream and area west of Stillwater comprises Onerahi Chaos soils and rocks. The Onerahi Chaos type
materials that underlie the alignment comprises of Bentonitic mudstones and Otametea claystones. These
materials exhibit highly irregular boundaries and their extent is not well defined.
The nearest Auckland Council groundwater monitoring station is located approximately 3km from the site at
Red Beach. Ground water levels at this site are indicated to be between 0.7 – 1.4m below ground level (bgl).
1
Beca 2014 Penlink – Hydrogeology Assessment, Beca April 2014
Beca // 27 May 2014
4214919 // NZ1-8851223-25 3.1 // page 5
Penlink - Preliminary Site Investigation (Contamination)
3
Methodology
The scope of work undertaken to fulfil the purpose of this report was:
n
n
Review of:
– Historical aerial photographs from NZ Aerial Mapping, Google Earth and Auckland Council;
–
Property information held by Auckland Council, given the volume of records an initial screen was undertaken and
the most likely records to indicate contaminative use were reviewed;
–
The results of a land contamination enquiry made to Auckland Council;
–
Local geology and hydrogeology; and
Walkover inspection of accessible and available site areas at the time of inspection.
The purpose of these investigations was to identify areas of the designation which may be classed as ‘pieces
of land’ under the NES. A piece of land will be any area of land on which an activity or industry classified
under the Hazardous Activities and Industries List (HAIL has occurred or is currently occurring.
The assessment has been undertaken and reported in general accordance with the Ministry for the
Environment (MfE) Contaminated Land Management Guidelines No. 1 – Reporting on Contaminated Sites in
New Zealand (2011a) and MfE Contaminated Land Management Guidelines No. 5 – Site Investigation and
Analysis (2011b).
Beca // 27 May 2014
4214919 // NZ1-8851223-25 3.1 // page 6
Penlink - Preliminary Site Investigation (Contamination)
4
4.1
Information Search and Site Visit
Property File
A request was made to Auckland Council to view the property file for each of the 44 land parcels within the
Penlink Designation. Given the rural land use of this area, many of the land parcels do not have a property
file. Where a property file was available for the property, a review was undertaken, in order to identify the key
contamination issues for that property.
The following sections provide a summary of the relevant information contained within the files. A more
detailed summary of relevant information contained on the property files is included as Appendix B and a
copy of the property file information is provided as an included digital file.
4.1.1
Potential HAIL within the Penlink Designation
Lot 4 DP 26549 (Duck Creek Road)
A geotechnical report completed in June 2010 identified a layer of fill and alluvial deposits overlying natural
soils on the site. The fill was said to contain thin asphalt overlying basecourse, with concrete, brick gravel
and clay fill also present. The depth of this fill was up to 1m bgl. This report was for a proposed shed, which
has since been constructed on the site. Aerial photographs show the site was forested in 2006. This property
is inside of the designation.
4.1.2
Potential HAIL outside of the Designation
Lot 1 Deposited Plan 51255, Lot 1 Deposited Plan 49038, Lot 1-2 Deposited Plan 405498, Lot 4
Deposited Plan 465984, Lot 1 Deposited Plan 100141, and Lot 2 Deposited Plan 340945 (Weiti Forest)
A geotechnical investigation was completed for a proposed landfill site approximately 800m to the southeast
of the designation. Aerial photos indicate that this site is being used for this purpose.
Lot 3 DP 95982(1697 East Coast Road)
An application was filed for subdivision and landuse consent in December 2010 which included an
Environmental Site Investigation by Focus Environmental Services Ltd. The consent was required for
3
earthworks exceeding 200m in order to construct a platform for stock races and silage pits on the property,
3
which would include import of about 20,000m of material from a site in Pinehill, North Shore. The Auckland
Regional Council identified the property as potentially contaminated due to horticultural activities on the
property. Soil testing was also completed to confirm the quality of the fill. Samples were collected from 10
sample locations on the filling site to a maximum depth of 3.0m bgl, with samples being taken at 0.5m
intervals. This resulted in 60 samples. An additional 30 composite samples were also tested. Samples were
tested for arsenic, copper, lead and organo-chlorine pesticides. Results found all contaminants were below
the Schedule 10 Permitted Activity Criteria in the Auckland Regional Plan: Air, Land and Water. No organochlorine pesticides were above the analytical limits of detection. Consent for this activity was granted to
th
Kilmacrennan Farm Ltd on the 10 February 2011. The general proposed location of the cleanfill is shown in
Figure 2. A review of aerial photographs on Google Earth Pro does not suggest there has been any
deposition of fill material since the consent was granted. In addition, this area appears to be outside of the
designation.
Beca // 27 May 2014
4214919 // NZ1-8851223-25 3.1 // page 7
Penlink - Preliminary Site Investigation (Contamination)
Figure 2: Location of cleanfill consented for Weiti Station (Source: Resource Consent application LAN-57103)
The review of the property file has not provided any evidence to confirm that HAIL activities are occurring or
have occurred within or neighbouring area designated for the Penlink Project.
4.2
Site Contamination Enquiry
A request was made to Auckland Council for any contamination information relevant to the study site. The
information searched included the former Auckland Regional Council records and information currently held
by the Auckland Council Natural Resources and Specialist Input Unit. The information searched included
records of landfill, bore, air discharge, industrial and trade process consents, contaminated site discharge
consents and environmental assessments within approximately 200m of the site. The information received is
contained in Appendix C.
The report identified ‘Doctors Creek’ ID number 124 which may have been subject to historic
filling/importation of unverified origin material. No further information was provided in the report regarding this
property. The location of this fill is not evident in the report, and so may be inside of the designation.
The following discharge consents were identified in the report, which are considered relevant to this
investigation:
n
574 Whangaparaoa Road – consent authorising the temporary discharge of contaminants associated with a retail
development; and
Beca // 27 May 2014
4214919 // NZ1-8851223-25 3.1 // page 8
Penlink - Preliminary Site Investigation (Contamination)
n
570 Whangaparaoa Road – contaminated site discharge from a former BP petrol station site. A groundwater
assessment was requested by Auckland Council in 2005 due to soils remaining on site which exceed groundwater
protection criteria.
These properties are located outside the designation, but should be considered, as contamination on these
sites may have migrated offsite through ground and surface waters.
Consents for the following domestic supply groundwater bores were also included in the council report:
n
n
n
n
n
n
41 Cedar Terrace;
45 Cedar Terrace;
2/491 Whangaparaoa Rd, Whangaparaoa;
80 Messengers Rd;
163 Duck Creek Rd; and
165 Duck Creek Rd.
4.3 Historical Aerial Photographs
Historical aerial photographs for the site have been sourced from New Zealand Aerial mapping for the years
1951, 1963, 1973, and 1988. Additional aerial photographs were sourced from Google Earth for 2004 and
2013. All aerial photographs have been reviewed to identify any changes in land use activities on the site
and surrounding properties, with the following observations made. The aerial photographs are provided in
Appendix D.
The following observations were made from the photographs:
n
n
n
n
n
1951: These photographs showed that the area east of the Weiti River inlet is predominantly pasture, with patchy
forested areas in the some areas of the valley. There was no evidence of crops in this area. The photograph also
shows that Whangaparaoa Road is already in place. To the west of the inlet the predominant land use was also rural
pasture with larger patches of forest. Duck Creek Road is present, although its small size suggests it is likely to be
gravel at this time. There are a number of tributaries running through the site. A farm track and associated buildings
are also present near where the designation intersects with Old Coast Road.
1963: A small amount of housing development has started around Cedar Terrace off Whangaparaoa Road. In the
area where the designation meets Whangaparaoa Road there are several buildings which appear to be related to the
pastoral land to the west. Further west of the Weiti River inlet, the land remains predominantly pasture and forest.
However, there are now several farm roads crossing the designation, including Okura Road off East Coast Road.
Areas of earthworks along the edges of Okura road suggest some parts are still under construction. A pond and a
residential building are now located near the intersection of Okura and East Coast roads (on opposite sides of Okura
Road).
1973: A large building has been constructed north of the designation off Whangaparaoa Road. Additional residential
buildings have also been constructed to the south of this area. The land uses east of the inlet are still predominantly
pasture and forest, with some additional residential properties. On the western peninsula leading down to the inlet
there is now a small road. There is also a small house near the end of the peninsula. The predominant land use west
of the inlet remains pasture and forest. A small wooden stock yard has been constructed where Okura Road
intersects with a forestry road. Another stock yard adjoining a barn is also present further along Okura Road, which
appears to have been under construction in the 1963 photograph (area of exposed soils).
1988: The building to the north of the designation at Whangaparaoa Road has been expanded, with the property
now also hosting other buildings and a driveway. Glasshouses have been constructed on the slopes overlooking the
Weiti Rive inlet, however these appear to be outside of the area of proposed works. A large area of pasture land east
of the inlet is now vegetated. To the west of the inlet, large parts of the designation have now been covered by pine
plantation, with the remaining land still in pasture.
2004: There are three large buildings and a number of associated smaller buildings on the property immediately
north of where the designation intersects with Whangaparaoa Road. The stream to the south of the property now has
several areas where ponds have developed. A large area of the pasture land between Whangaparaoa Road and the
inlet is now cropland, with small areas of earthwork occurring north of Cedar Terrace. These areas are outside of the
Beca // 27 May 2014
4214919 // NZ1-8851223-25 3.1 // page 9
Penlink - Preliminary Site Investigation (Contamination)
n
proposed area of works. There is also a large area of forest north of the cropping area. To the west of the inlet the
predominant landuse within the designation is now plantation forest, with pasture further to the west near East Coast
Road. The northern motorway has been constructed.
2013: The buildings to the north near Whangaparaoa Road are no longer present. The earthworks around Cedar
Terrace have been completed, with residential properties having been constructed. Large sections of the plantation
forest have been felled, but remain in much of the area where the designation passes through.
4.4
Site Walkover
A limited site walkover was undertaken by Kate Ward on 11 April 2014. The site walkover covered the
following land parcels, which are owned by Auckland Transport:
n
n
n
n
n
n
Lot 4 Deposited Plan 81388;
Lot 3 Deposited Plan 81388;
Lot 1 Deposited Plan 29403;
Lot 1 Deposited Plan 100141;
Part Lot 3 Deposited Plan 95982; and
Section 6 Survey Office Plan 70765
As far as was practicable, the land parcels not owned by Auckland Transport were viewed from public roads.
Photographs taken are presented in Appendix E.
4.4.1
Section 1 - Redvale Interchange (ch -200 – 500)
A walkover of the land between SH1 and East Coast Road was not undertaken. It was viewed from East
Coast Road and observed to be in rural land use (paddocks). (Appendix E: Photograph 1).
4.4.2
Section 2 - Redvale Interchange – Duck Creek (ch550 – 4400)
The alignment travels east from East Coast Road (Appendix E: Photograph 2), and Okura Road which
largely follows the alignment, was used to view the area. There is a residential property at the intersection of
East Coast Road and Okura Road. A small stockpile of waste materials were observed at the rear of the
property, which would be inside of the designation (Appendix E: Photograph 3).
The land use to the north of Okura Road is in rural use for cattle grazing and to the south it is used as
grazing paddocks, but no stock was observed (Appendix E: Photograph 4).
Approximately 700m along the road there is a side road which leads to a forestry block. Several logging
trucks were seen using the road during the site visit. At the intersection of this road there is a fenced area
which contained horses. Prior discussions with staff at the Weiti station had mentioned that the field to the
north of this intersection may have been previously used as a WWII firing range. There was no visual
evidence of the firing range. A proposed access road could be constructed in the southern extent of the field.
A small area of the potential firing range is therefore within the area of works of this project.
After 1.5km, the road reaches the Weiti Station, a horse breeding business. Buildings at the site include
stables, covered yards, and a shed. Several small paddocks and a stock yard are located close to the
buildings (Appendix E: Photograph 6 and Photograph 7). No evidence of a sheep dip was observed in the
stock yard. Across the road there is a hay barn with an above ground diesel tank (Appendix E: Photograph
5). A large area of staining was observed on the ground in front of the tank (Appendix E: Photograph 8).
Several stockpiles of building materials, timber and rubbish are located adjacent to the barn. These areas
are within the designation.
Beca // 27 May 2014
4214919 // NZ1-8851223-25 3.1 // page 10
Penlink - Preliminary Site Investigation (Contamination)
Access along the road beyond Weiti Station was not possible, however part of the proposed alignment could
be viewed from one of the nearby paddocks and was observed to comprise pine forest (Appendix E:
Photograph 9 and Photograph 10).
The alignment between chainage 2100 and 4400 was not able to be accessed.
4.4.3
Section 3 - Duck Creek (ch 4400 – 5000)
The alignment between chainage 4400 and 4800 was not able to be accessed.
Chainage 4800 – 5000 is described below.
4.4.4
Section 4 - Weiti Crossing and Approaches (ch 5000 – 5900)
Access to the alignment between chainage 4800 and 5300 was obtained via the driveway of 250 Duck Creek
Road. The current land use in this section of the alignment comprises a mixture of trees and scrubby
vegetation (Appendix E: Photograph 11). Overhead power lines run through the area, and the vegetation has
recently been cut back beneath them (Appendix E: Photograph 12). A pile of corrugated iron and timber,
thought to be a dismantled shed, was observed at approximately chainage 5300 (Appendix E: Photograph
13).
The alignment between chainage 5300 and 5600 was not walked over as this is the Weiti Crossing.
Chainage 5600 – 5900 and was inaccessible due to the terrain.
4.4.5
Section 5 - Whangaparaoa Road (ch 5900 – 6800)
Access to the alignment between chainage 5900 - 6600 was not possible due to the terrain.
Chainage 6600 – 6800 is a grassed reserve with a stream at its lowest point (Appendix E: Photograph 14).
The stream banks have been planted with flax and reeds. There are several drainage channels leading to
the stream.
The extent of works to be completed on Whangaparaoa Road is shown in Appendix B. Whangaparaoa
Road slopes down from 40m above sea level (ASL) at 522 Whangaparaoa Road to 15m ASL at 574
Whangaparaoa Road, and then back to 38m ASL at 616 Whangaparaoa Road. (Appendix E: Photograph
15).
4.5
Potential for Coal Tar
It is understood from previous contamination assessments undertaken by Beca and research undertaken by
NIWA2 that coal tar was historically used in road construction and resurfacing of roads until the 1960s in
Auckland. Historical aerial photographs sourced from the NZ Aerial Mapping indicates that Whangaparaoa
Road was constructed prior to 1951 (see Appendix D) and therefore it is considered possible that coal tar
was used during the road’s construction. A part of Whangaparaoa Road is within the designation.
2
DUPREE, C.; AHRENS, A., 2007. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Auckland’s aquatic environment: sources,
concentrations and potential environmental risks. Prepared by NIWA for Auckland Regional Council. Auckland Regional
Council Technical Publication No. 378.
Beca // 27 May 2014
4214919 // NZ1-8851223-25 3.1 // page 11
Penlink - Preliminary Site Investigation (Contamination)
No records have been observed by Beca that indicate that any historical rehabilitation works have been
undertaken within site area that have included removal of coal tar material.
4.6
Summary of Potential Contamination Issues
No significant areas of contamination have been identified during the desk study. No activities have been
identified which are reasonably likely to have caused widespread and significant soil contamination issues.
However, there are isolated activities taking place within the Penlink designation area which have the
potential to cause localised contamination. These activities are:
n
n
n
n
In some localised areas reports have indicated fill from unconfirmed sources may have been deposited within the
designation [potential G3 of HAIL];
Farm activities which can include activities such as offal pits, rubbish infill pits, sheep dips, agrichemical storage, use
of oil and fuels including fuel tanks. A diesel fuel tank was confirmed as being present on Part Lot 3 DP 95982.
Staining on the soil beneath the tank indicated fuel had been spilled from the tank, likely leading to localised soil
contamination [A17 of HAIL];
The possible use of a pasture as a WWII firing range, although only a small area of works occur within this field [C2 of
HAIL]; and
Potential coal tar used in construction of Whangaparaoa Road [G5 of HAIL].
In addition, a number of activities have also been identified outside of the designation from which there may
be potential for the migration of contaminants into the designation to occur. These activities are:
n
n
Horticultural activities including market gardens, orchards, intensive cropping, greenhouses and nurseries [A10 of
HAIL]; and
The property located at 570-574 Whangaparaoa Road has been identified as contaminated land resulting from a
former BP Service station on the property [A17 of HAIL].
Beca // 27 May 2014
4214919 // NZ1-8851223-25 3.1 // page 12
Penlink - Preliminary Site Investigation (Contamination)
5
Discussion
5.1
National Environmental Standard
The Resource Management (National Environmental Standard for Assessing and Managing Contaminants in
Soil to Protect Human Health) Regulations 2011 (NES) applies to land which currently has, or historically has
had, an activity or industry undertaken on it that is included in the Hazardous Activities and Industries List
(HAIL). More specifically, the NES applies to the piece of land on which hazardous activities have been
undertaken, rather than the whole property parcel. If the hazardous activity occurred on only part of the
property parcel, then that is the ‘piece of land’ to which the NES applies, as detailed below.
“Land covered:
(7)
The piece of land is a piece of land that is described by 1 of the following:
(a) an activity or industry described in the HAIL is being undertaken on it;
(b) an activity or industry described in the HAIL has been undertaken on it;
(c) it is more likely than not that an activity or industry described in the HAIL is being or has been
undertaken on it.”
5.2
HAIL sites
Based on the range of information sources collected for this PSI, identified in sections 4.1-4.6 above, it is
considered that the NES applies to the following ‘pieces of land’ inside the designation:
n
n
n
The diesel above ground storage tank identified during the site visit;
Potential coal tar used in construction of Whangaparaoa Road; and
Additional activities such as offal pits and sheep dip sites may also be present on the rural properties through which
the works pass.
It is also considered that the NES potentially applies to the following land outside the designation:
n
n
The horticultural crops and greenhouses east of the Weiti River inlet; and
The former BP station located at 570 – 574 Whangaparaoa Road.
The horticultural cropping activities and greenhouses also come within 20m of the designated area east of
the Weiti River inlet. Pesticides are persistent in soils so are unlikely to migrate to within the designation. The
former BP Station at 570-574 Whangaparaoa Road is sufficiently close to the designation that this
separation distance could have resulted in potential contaminants migrating into the area of works
(designation) and therefore be considered as HAIL (code H). This area is however the same ‘piece of land’
identified as a HAIL site for potential coal tar use.
Therefore the HAIL sites identified are:
n
n
A diesel fuel tank on Part Lot 3 DP 95982; and
The length of Whangaparaoa Road within the extent of works.
5.3
Consenting approach
A resource consent is therefore required under the NES to disturb soils and remove soils (and potentially to
change land use) in these specific pieces of land.
Beca // 27 May 2014
4214919 // NZ1-8851223-25 3.1 // page 13
Penlink - Preliminary Site Investigation (Contamination)
No significant areas of contamination have been identified during the desk study. No activities have been
identified which are reasonably likely to cause widespread and significant soil contamination issues. Isolated
areas within the designation have been identified to have either had, or currently have, activities taking place
on them which have the potential to cause localised contamination. These activities have been listed above.
The above uses have the potential to cause localised soil contamination in the form of hydrocarbons from
fuel storage spills and contamination from Gas Works waste and hydrocarbon migration along
Whangaparaoa Road. The type of contamination which is likely to arise from the above uses is unlikely to
present a risk far from the individual uses extent. Consequently there is a low risk of any contamination being
present which would prevent the area from being developed as roading.
For this reason a Detailed Site Investigation (DSI) has not been completed for the pieces of land identified
above, and this PSI is sufficient to support a resource consent under the NES as a Discretionary Activity. A
contaminated soils management plan can be appropriately conditioned as part of the environmental
management plan and the suite of activities and effects this plan is designed to manage.
Beca // 27 May 2014
4214919 // NZ1-8851223-25 3.1 // page 14
Penlink - Preliminary Site Investigation (Contamination)
Appendix A
Site Plans
Beca // 27 May 2014
4214919 // NZ1-8851223-25 3.1 // page 15