Congratulations FTF to HKCB! My 1st Geocache hide.
The old landfill at Burke St Thames is getting closer to being rehabilitated into a coastal beach reserve and a habitat and nesting site for birdlife.
The landfill was built back in 1958 when there was no environmental protection plan. The landfill closed in 1993 and was walled up and covered over with a thick cap of clay. A formal landfill plan was prepared in 1982 which resulted in the area being bunded from the sea and a basic leachate and stormwater control system developed.
In the past 18 months our Council has been working on getting the ground rehabilitated to a state where the western foreshore can be used as a suitable seabird habitat and coastal reserve. In the meantime a new sculpture created by renowned New Zealand artist and Coromandel local Michael Smither has been installed on the Burke St site and situated carefully to align with Mt Te Aroha. Called "Colour Harmonics," the artwork has been kindly donated through the arrangement of the Thames Society of Art and Colin Broadley.
The same "Colour Harmonics" theme has been replicated throughout the Underfoot Gallery on the Thames coastal walkway.
Did you know there are no operating landfills on the Coromandel? All solid waste is taken to the Tirohia landfill in Hauraki, which is an old quarry site?
Cache is the size of a film canister, there is no room for anything other than the log, you will need to bring a writing implement with you.