Environment Canterbury served the city council an abatement notice, requiring it stop the “offensive and objectionable” discharge beyond its Living Earth plant by January 31, 2022.
It comes after a move by the city council last year to redevelop the composting plant in Metro Pl, Bromley, to mitigate ongoing odour issues plaguing nearby residents.
“We know that people have had enough of the odour problems and want the situation resolved. Work is already underway developing the detailed scope of works and user requirements that will form the basis of the tender documentation for the re-development project,” said Helen Beaumont, city council head of three waters and waste.
The plant processes food and green waste collected through the city’s kerbside collection, which is then turned into compost.
The city council will invest about $22 million to upgrade the technology and construct a second processing building, ensuring all parts of the composting process occurred indoors.
“We have engaged a contractor to assist us in completing this work as quickly and efficiently as possible and intend to bring a procurement plan to elected members in March for final approval,” she said.
“We have already let the market know that we will soon be seeking tenders for this project and will formally call for expressions of interest this month."
Once a contractor is chosen, the city council will be able to determine firm timelines for the project, but “work will begin this year.”
“The speed of implementation will be a criteria that we consider when assessing the tenders as we know this work needs to be done quickly," said Beaumont.
