The wellbeing and quality of life of our residents is our priority. We want to be part of the wider solution around minimising odour in Bromley and we’re committed to working with Environment Canterbury and our operators to achieve this.
Organics processing plant redevelopment
The Council has decided to spend about $22 million upgrading the organics processing plant at Bromley.
The development will involve upgrading the plant’s technology to allow for all of the compost processing to take place indoors, reducing odour and ensuring the plant is at the leading edge of international standards. The proposed changes have been developed and peer-reviewed by independent experts and are targeted to resolve the issues relating to both odour and dust.
The upgrade involves redesigning and replacing the floors and doors of the plant’s 18 composting tunnels, replacing the shredder and improving the biofilter. The upgrades would ensure that all parts of the composting process would be fully enclosed, removing any potential odour or dust.
Christchurch City Council staff have been asked to begin contract negotiations with Living Earth – the operator of the plant – so that the redevelopment can begin as quickly as possible.
The Council also decided to ask that the plant stop accepting commercial food waste until the upgrades are complete.
We're working to minimise odour from our Bromley sites
In response to the findings presented by Environment Canterbury, we worked with Living Earth and EcoCentral to develop an action plan [PDF, 799 KB] outlining potential short, medium and long-term options to mitigate odour at these two facilities. You can view a summary of the action plan [PDF, 377 KB]
An independent research company has carried out a survey of the Bromley community to gain their feedback on odour.
The survey was jointly commissioned by Christchurch City Council and Environment Canterbury to gather representative views from the community, ensuring they have an opportunity to be heard and to have data that would more fully inform decision making.
A total of 373 responses were received.
We also commissioned a smaller survey of the Bromley industrial area with 28 responses received.
As outlined in our action plan [PDF, 799 KB] (external link)we've worked with our contractors Living Earth and EcoCentral on potential short, medium and long-term options to mitigate odour at these two facilities.
Part of the plan involved monthly progress reports during the three-month trial period, outlining the changes made at both facilities, along with next steps. Environment Canterbury also produced a monthly review of the odour reports they receive.
Our monthly reports, and a link to Environment Canterbury's, are available below.
The unidentified odour in Bromley has been a longstanding issue for the community, and one which has remained complex to investigate. We have a long history of working with Environment Canterbury to try and locate the sources and trial different approaches.
The Bromley residential area is close to an industrial area with a number of businesses involved in activities such as fish processing, fibreglass manufacture, composting and waste processing and wastewater treatment facilities. The estuary and tidal mudflats are adjacent and border the industrial area.
Getting the evidence to take action around odour is not a simple task due to the number of potential variables involved – including multiple sources of odour, wind, weather, temperature, time, distance and topography.
A 2018 study found that of more than 200 businesses in Bromley, about 60 are potential sources of odour, including Council-owned facilities run by Living Earth, the composting operation, and the EcoCentral-run EcoDrop the transfer station.
Smelt-It app pilot study
In March 2020, Environment Canterbury carried out a pilot study that focused on finding the causes of the long-standing odour issues in Bromley.
Resident reports were then compared to weather conditions and onsite observations by Environment Canterbury warranted officers and an independent odour assessor, as well as operational data from the Living Earth and EcoDrop facilities.
Environment Canterbury said the pilot study findings (external link)clearly identify the two Council-run facilities as significant odour emitters.
What our contractors are doing
Some of the options the contractors implented included:
EcoCentral
When they receive material with a significant odour, it is put into containers before regular loading.
Moving waste into containers as quickly as possible. Containers are then shipped to Kate Valley Landfill.
Maintaining a clear floor in their pit overnight.
Living Earth
Looking at the odour treatment they use, as well as how and when it’s applied.
Using additional odour misters, which help to suppress odour.
Changing the “compost recipe”.
Following on from the operational changes, the Council has decided to look at long-term redevelopment of the organics processing plant, spending $22 million on upgrading the plant's technology. This will allow of the compost processing to take place indoors, reducing odour and ensuring the plant is at the leading edge of international standards.
Odour mitigation timeline
Bromley odour mitigation timeline
June-August 2020
Operational changes made
Operational changes to mitigate odour are carried out by the Organics Processing Plant and EcoDrop Transfer Station. EcoDrop carry out an independent review of data.
End of August 2020
Effectiveness of changes assessed
Environment Canterbury and Council to consider how effective the operational changes have been on mitigating odour at the Organics Processing Plant and EcoDrop Transfer Station.
September-November 2020
Redevelopment options potentially considered
If required, redevelopment options are considered for Organics Processing Plant and EcoDrop Transfer Station. If required, a resource consent application may be submitted to Environment Canterbury for the EcoDrop Transfer Station.
End of November 2020
Decision on redevelopment options
If required, a decision will be made by the Council on redevelopment options for the Organics Processing Plant.
From December 2020 onwards
Facility redevelopment option started
If required, the facility redevelopment option starts for the Organics Processing Plant.
Organics Processing Plant and EcoDrop
The Living Earth Organics Processing Plant and the EcoCentral Ecodrop are a key part of our city’s waste management system. We own both sites and they are managed by Living Earth and EcoCentral respectively.
Living Earth Organics Processing Plant
The Organics Processing Plant, operated by Living Earth, processes food and garden waste collected through our green bin kerbside collection service. They also accept green waste dropped off by the public and process food and garden waste from commercial suppliers.
Around 70,000 tonnes of organic material per year are processed through the plant – this is food and green waste that would otherwise go to landfill. The plant turns this organic material into organic certified compost which is then sold to the agricultural sector as a valuable soil improvement.
EcoCentral EcoDrop
There are three public transfer station sites located at Styx Mill, Bromley and Wigram, operated by EcoCentral. Each site allows you to drop off recycling and hazardous waste (household amounts), greenwaste and general rubbish.
Residents and businesses can drop items at the EcoDrop 7 days a week from 7am to 4.30pm. Rubbish received at each site is compacted daily into airtight containers and transported to Kate Valley Regional Landfill.
