10 May 2021

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Changes are being made at the Organics Processing Plant at Bromley to minimise odour issues and prepare the site for a multimillion-dollar redevelopment.

“Work on redeveloping the Organics Processing Plant is anticipated to start towards the end of the year, but in the meantime we are taking a number of steps to minimise the odour impacts of the plant on nearby residents,’’ says Christchurch City Council Resource Recovery Manager Ross Trotter.

“As part of the Transitional Management Plan that we have developed with Living Earth, we have stopped accepting some commercial food processing waste that we think might be contributing to the odour issues.

“We are also going to use about 8500 tonnes of matured compost from the Organics Processing Plant to increase the soil quality of Council-owned land and enable planting of native trees around the oxidation ponds.

“This will significantly lessen the amount of compost stored on the site and also help with our midge control work at the oxidation ponds.  Midges are naturally attracted to light so we are trying to create a natural screen between the oxidation ponds and nearby homes by planting the paddocks with native plants.

“The compost will improve the soil condition of the paddocks and should greatly assist in getting the new plants established,’’ Mr Trotter says.

“We are also looking at more plantings on the south side of the Organics Processing Plant to create a natural buffer there between the site and nearby properties.’’

Mr Trotter says the bark chip which forms part of the biofilter at the Organics Processing Plant is also going to be replaced as part of the Transitional Management Plan.

“The biofilter will be upgraded as part of the redevelopment of the plant but as an interim measure we are going to replace the bark chip as it has been identified as a potential source of odour. It will be taken off site for disposal.’’

Mr Trotter says planning for the $21.5 million redevelopment of the Organics Processing Plant is progressing well.

“We currently have a Request for Proposals out in the market for a contractor to design and build the new Organics Processing Plant. We expect to be in a position to finalise a contract for the development in July so that work can start on site this year.

The redevelopment will involve:

  • Significantly upgrading the 18 aerated tunnels where the organic waste is turned into compost.
  • Building a new, fully ventilated structure to enclose the outside area where the compost is matured and screened.
  • Upgrading the biofilter.