The Queenstown Lakes District Council will remove a small area of contaminated soil, adjacent to the Queenstown Library, QLDC general manager utilities Mark Kunath said.

"In June we became aware that the Queenstown council generator had developed a diesel leak in a feeder pipe," Mr Kunath said.

It was unclear how much diesel had soaked into the ground, however council contractors were able to conduct a full clean-up of the site and the feeder pipe was repositioned.

"We first noticed further diesel rising to the surface after a heavy rain, which again we were able to contain and clean-up. In order to be cautious, and in particular due to the proximity of Horne Creek, we engaged a soil specialist to further investigate the spill," Mr Kunath said.

The council received a report yesterday which stated that the contamination posed no threat to the creek; however it recommended an area of soil be removed.

"On Thursday we will dig out approximately 20 cubic metres of soil, which will be removed for decontamination and replaced with clean fill," Mr Kunath said.

While the work was being undertaken on Thursday and possibly into Friday, access to the library would be via the council foyer with some disruptions to the Temple Way access.

"It's important that the council leads by example and in this case we have done everything possible to mitigate and remove the contamination," Mr Kunath said.

ENDS

For further information please contact Mark Kunath 03 441 0499

By: Tamah