The Christchurch City Council has approved the establishment of the Christchurch Regional Organics Processing Facility, a state-of-the-art organics processing plant.

The Council’s decision to partner with Ecogas for this project comes after a multi-stage procurement process.

The new facility will be fully enclosed.

It stands in stark contrast to the current operations at the Organics Processing Plant in Bromley.

In the interim, until the new plant is operational, the council has outlined a two-stage process for handling kerbside organics.

Initially, these organics will be processed indoors at Bromley, combining with garden waste, and then undergoing a composting process.

The material will then be transported to Kate Valley Landfill for further maturation and eventual market sale.

This temporary measure is expected to be in place by April 2024.

The new plant will be located on an industrial site in Aruhe Road, South Hornby.

It aims to divert a wide range of organic waste from landfills, using anaerobic digestion technology and a biofuel processing line.

This will transform mixed kerbside organics and garden waste into renewable products like fertiliser, biogas, and biofuel.

A highlight of the new facility is the absence of odours, thanks to its fully enclosed design.

The biogas produced will serve as a renewable energy source, reducing the reliance on fossil fuels.

The liquid byproduct will be used as biofertiliser, aiding in soil regeneration and crop nutrition.

The wood portion will be converted into biofuel.

Mayor Phil Mauger has hailed this development as a win for both Christchurch and the wider Canterbury region.

The location in South Hornby was strategically chosen, keeping in mind the industrial zoning and suitability for such operations.

The Council said the cost of processing organics at the new plant will be covered by existing budgets in the Long Term Plan 2024–34.

This initiative is a partnership between Pioneer Energy and EcoStock, with Ecogas already operating a similar plant in the North Island.

The South Hornby facility is expected to be operational by late 2026.