Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Govt puts in cash for dioxin testing of park

Updated at 3:58 pm on 15 July 2009

The Government is paying $25,000 towards testing a New Plymouth park for dioxin and other dangerous chemicals.

In May, nine rusted drums were unearthed in Marfell Park, dumped from the nearby Dow agrichemical plant more than 30 years ago, when the park site was the city tip.

Taranaki Regional Council is collecting soil samples to ascertain whether there is risk of contamination.

Environment Minister Nick Smith says the Marfell Park find was a nasty surprise and the community needs assurance that the park is safe. He says it is possible more remediation work will be needed, but the risk does not warrant closing the park.

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