Stinking organics plant could close while new site sought

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

From reporter Liz McDonald:
All of Christchurch’s organic waste could be sent to landfill if a proposal to immediately close the city’s composting plant is approved.

City councillors have agreed to move Christchurch’s pungent composting plant, but that could take up to five years and the plant could be shut down in the meantime.

The city council previously resolved to find a solution after years of complaints from residents about foul smells and dust, and notices from Environment Canterbury that the plant was in breach of its resource consent.

At a city council meeting on Thursday, councillors voted to shift the plant, rather than try to improve it on the existing Bromley site. Plans to redevelop it were dropped last year when tenders proved too costly.

They also requested a report from staff within one month on the net costs and implications of “immediately closing” the plant, which is owned by the council and run by private operator Living Earth.

The implications to be considered include the effects on the environment and residents’ quality of life. Continue reading here.