Funding For Whanganui's Balgownie Landfill InvestigationJuly 31, 2026King Country, Taranaki, WhanganuiA $464,000 government grant will fund the first detailed investigation into environmental conditions at Whanganui's former Balgownie landfill. Balgownie is one of almost 3500 former landfill sites across New Zealand established before modern environmental standards were introduced. Whanganui Mayor Andrew Tripe welcomed the funding, saying it was an important step toward making informed decisions about the site's future. Before we make decisions about the site's future, we need to understand its condition and how it relates to the surrounding environment. The Balgownie landfill has been identified as one of the project's biggest challenges, with historical leachate, exposed rubbish and other legacy issues affecting both the environment and community perceptions of the site.