In a report to councillors, QLDC solid waste manager Stefan Borowy said the funds had become available because less money had been spent buying refuse and recycling wheelie bins than the council had budgeted for.
The planned work on the landfill, located near Quail Rise, was approved by the council in May 2009. It was to be included in the long-term council community plan with proposed funding of $216,000, but this amount had not been included in the final draft of the plan.
In the meantime, Mr Borowy said the estimated cost of the work had been reduced from $216,000 to $101,800.
"Significant value-engineering of the project, synergies with other projects and a very competitive tender price has allowed us to lower the cost," he said.
Work on the project started in March this year.
Mr Borowy said QLDC general manager finance Stewart Burns had given approval to proceed with the construction work and apply to the council for retrospective reallocation of the existing approved funding.
Mr Borowy said it was necessary to begin the work in March.
To ensure the grass on the new, closed top of the landfill was established before winter, work had to be completed before May; and to meet the requirements of a resource-consent condition, the project had to be completed by June 30, he said.
"Work is progressing well," Mr Borowy said.
