Council to decide on organics processing solutions

A milestone for Christchurch’s kerbside organics will occur next week when the Council decides on both the short and long-term processing solutions.

On Wednesday 6 December the Council will consider two reports – one on the future permanent solution for processing kerbside organics and the other on the short-term option.

The permanent solution

As mentioned in our last newsletter, no information will be available on the permanent solution until after the Council makes a decision on Wednesday 6 December. This is because information related to the site, supplier and solution remains commercially sensitive at this time as a procurement process is still underway. The Council will make its decision in a private session, with details of the decision released publicly afterwards. 

The short-term option

The report’s recommended short-term option involves two stages of organics processing.

The first stage would see kerbside organics being processed indoors at the Organics Processing Plant in Bromley. This involves mixing organics with garden waste, shredding the material, then moving the material into the composting tunnels.  

Partially composted material would then be loaded into trucks directly from the tunnels inside the processing hall and transported to Kate Valley Landfill. Once at Kate Valley Landfill, the second phase of processing would occur with material matured in outdoor rows, screened and then sold to the market. This process could be implemented by April 2024.

The second stage of processing at Kate Valley Landfill couldn’t occur before April 2024 because Waste Management, who operate the site, require a change to their resource consent to allow for the additional daily truck movements to the site.

In the meantime, organics would continue to be processed at the Bromley plant. Work has been underway this month to clear existing material stored outside on-site. The material is being transported to Kate Valley to be used as landfill capping, with work expected to be completed by the end of December.

If the recommended option is approved, it is estimated to cost an additional $276,000 per year. This would be funded through existing budgets, where possible.

Read the report on the short-term option

Read the Newsline story

Community drop-in session

If you have questions about the short-term option, you can attend our community drop-in session on Monday 4 December, 5pm–6pm at Bromley Community Centre. The session will give you with an opportunity to ask questions about the report going to the Council meeting on Wednesday 6 December.

The Council meeting on Wednesday 6 December will be live streamed and available to watch online.

Stay updated

We want everyone to be able to stay updated on developments at the Organics Processing Plant. If you know of anyone who would like to receive this e-newsletter they can subscribe online. 

If you have any questions, or would like further information on the project, please call us on 03 941 8999 or 0800 800 169 or email bromley@ccc.govt.nz  

Thanks in advance for your patience and co-operation as we carry out these improvements and prepare for the upcoming redevelopment programme. We’ll be in touch again soon.