Concerns that a former chemical site at Mapua near Nelson was still contaminated by mercury have been dismissed by the Tasman District Council after scientific testing.
The concerns were raised by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment which found flaws in the multi-million dollar clean-up in a report in July.
It recommended more mercury testing of the soil.
Tasman District Council has released new sampling results, showing levels are well within acceptable residential standards.
The council says the average mercury level was 5% of the required limit.
Mayor Richard Kempthorne says the Ministry for the Environment has to give final approval before the site is developed.
Reports on the clean-up impacts are still awaited from the Ministries of Health and Labour.
