In June the Council indicated its preference to end composting at the Organics Processing Plant in Bromley as soon as reasonably, and practically, possibly. This followed a long history of complaints from some residents living in nearby areas who said odours from the plant are negatively affecting their health and quality of life.

The Council decided to consult Christchurch residents and mana whenua on five short-term options for managing organics until a permanent solution is operational.

The five short-term options consulted on were as follows:

1. Alternative processing Send all mixed kerbside organics to an alternative, or several alternative, composting plants and worm farms.
2. Kate Valley Landfill Send all mixed kerbside organics to Kate Valley Landfill.
3. Continue at the Organics Processing Plant Stay at the current location with an additional outdoor screen.
4. Reduce the amount of material going to the Organics Processing Plant Minimising the need for outdoor storage of material.
5. Partial processing of material at the Organics Processing Plant First stage of composting done indoors at the plant with second-stage processing done off-site.

Public consultation ran from Wednesday 30 August to Sunday 1 October with 2764 submissions received.

Of the 76 submitters from Bromley, 41% indicated Option 2, sending organics to Kate Valley Landfill, was their first preference. Option 5, partial processing of material at the plant, was identified as the first preference for 34% of Bromley respondents. While more Bromley submitters supported the Kate Valley option as their first preference, the partial processing option received the highest ranking overall, indicating that Option 5 was still favourable among Bromley submitters.

Overall, 51% of all submitters ranked Option 5, partial processing of material at the plant, as their first choice out of the five. 87% of submitters indicated that their preferred short-term solution was to keep the plant operating to some degree.

Feedback from submitters highlighted concerns about the environmental and financial impacts of the various options. Many submitters acknowledged the impact odour has had on some nearby residents and wanted to see this reduced but also highlighted the importance of continuing the kerbside organics service.

Feedback from Bromley residents reinforced the need for Council to take immediate action to mitigate odour. For some the only solution was to close the plant immediately, while others wanted to see action taken on the odour but were also concerned about the environmental and financial impacts of some of the short-term options.

Submitters, who want to speak to the Council in support of their submission, will have the opportunity at a meeting on Wednesday 8 November.

View the analysis of submissions.

Watch the meeting live online.