Matt Schmelz and Mark Richards from Eastland Port show the difference lamella clarifiers (at rear) are making to stormwater coming off a log yard.
Stormwater treatment plants
Continuing to reduce our environmental impacts, and helping to enhance the quality of the stream, rivers and sea around us, are two of our most important ongoing commitments.
To minimise runoff from our waterside operations, we’ve installed innovative stormwater treatment systems around the port. These plants use technology more commonly applied in town drinking water processing, and are used to clarify stormwater before releasing it into the harbour.
Our industry-leading (and award-winning) approach to port-related stormwater treatment is a world first.
The minute it starts raining, the plants start working. Each one will continue reticulating the water until it’s safe to release. We currently have two plants on port, with a third being planned as part of the Twin Berth project.
Our testing regime ensures our stormwater discharges not only meet, but exceed, the requirements of our resource consent.
Cleaner seas and rivers
From installing Seabins to monitoring litter on local beaches, we’re collaborating with the community on all sorts of clean water initiatives.
Two Seabins in the inner marina help us collect and remove rubbish from the inner harbour. Eastland Port funded one; the other was donated by local woman Melissa Henry, who set up a Givealittle page to raise the funds. Her motivation for the project came after seeing litter in the ocean while out on a boat with her father.
A Seabin is a floating rubbish bin that filters water to collect rubbish, petroleum-based surface oils, detergents and micro plastics down to 2mm small. It’s powered by a small water pump and can catch an estimated 1.4 tonnes of debris per year. The water is then pumped back into the marina, leaving the litter and debris in the catch bag.
Our Seabins are used to teach local students about the impacts of pollutants on our oceans, and the importance of disposing of rubbish correctly.
Other ongoing projects include a partnership with Sustainable Coastlines and Plastic Bag Free Tairāwhiti. Plus, we continue to work on enhancing local waterways with Tairāwhiti Enviroschools and their Wai Restoration crew.
Kopuawhakapata Stream project
Eastland Port and Ngati Oneone have begun an ambitious collaborative project to restore the mauri of the Kopuawhakapata Stream and its catchment, by improving the health of the awa and whenua.
The project is a positive result of discussions between the Port and Ngati Oneone on their aspirations for their rohe, and how they can work together to achieve these outcomes.
At the first planting day, it was a team effort to collect rubbish, pull weeds, lay newspaper and bark mulch, and plant over 900 natives. Once the plants have established, they will provide a healthier environment for native species, stabilise the stream edge and purify water entering the stream.
Charlotte Gibson of Ngati Oneone says, “Kopuawhakapata stream is of great significance to Ngati Oneone, given Te Poho o Rawiri Marae and papakainga was originally located at the joining of the Turanganui River and Kopuawhakapata stream.
“It is important that we continue on with the tremendous work that Whaia Titirangi Kaitiaki began on Titirangi Maunga – their efforts on Titirangi are remarkable.
“I’m sure that with the collaboration of Ngati Oneone and Eastland Port, we can make a huge difference in our surroundings which will have huge benefits for all of Tairāwhiti to share in. One day perhaps, we might even see a return of the Tohitohi (species of inanga/whitebait).”
Climate commitment
Eastland Port are the proud owners of New Zealand’s first electric water truck, one of the largest road legal electric trucks in the country. It’s deployed daily to depress dust on the log yard and is an essential part of port operations.
We envisage a future where logging trucks, and other heavy vehicles in the logistics and marine sectors, move from internal combustion engines to electric models. The introduction of this electric water truck at the port is a very positive first step on this journey.
A 60kW fast-charging station has also been installed at Eastland Port for the water truck. The electric water truck and charger have been partially funded by a grant from the Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund (LEVCF) administered by EECA (Energy, Efficiency and Conservation Authority).
Another project is our concrete recycling programme. We’ve invested in an excavator and crushing head which is saving tonnes of material from going to landfill. We’re crushing concrete and turning it into construction materials that are being used back at the port.
These initiatives are helping us to reduce carbon emissions and waste, and are part of our commitment to sound environmental practices. Together with our parent company Eastland Group and our other business sectors, we are measuring and aiming to reduce our emissions. We have implemented a Group-wide sustainability policy, and in 2019 we joined the Climate Leaders Coalition.
