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Canterbury Waste Joint Committee
08 April 2024
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4. Ōtautahi
Christchurch Regional Organics Processing Facility Update
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Reference / Te Tohutoro:
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24/435771
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Report of / Te Pou Matua:
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Lynne
Armitage and Dr Alec McNeil
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Senior Manager / Pouwhakarae:
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Jane
Parfitt, Interim General Manager Infrastructure, Planning and Regulatory
Services
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1. Purpose and Origin of Report Te Pūtake Pūrongo
1.1 To inform the members of the CWJC of the opportunities
available to the wider Canterbury region, from the new organics processing facility
in South Hornby, expected to be operational by late 2026.
1.2 The origin of the report is from Christchurch City Council
Staff.
2. Officer Recommendations Ngā Tūtohu
That the Canterbury
Waste Joint Committee:
1. Receive the information in the Ōtautahi
Christchurch Regional Organics Processing Facility Update Report.
3. Brief Summary
3.1 On
the 6th of December 2023, the Christchurch City Council (CCC) approved
Ecogas Partnership Limited as the new long-term organics processor, following a
multi-stage procurement process.
3.2 The new plant in South Hornby is expected to be operational
by late 2026.
3.3 As
a 100% New Zealand partnership between Pioneer Energy and EcoStock, Ecogas
currently operates an anaerobic digestion plant in the North Island. Ecogas has
experience with managing organic waste with two existing North Island sites
(Papakura Auckland and Reporoa).
3.4 The
new organics processing facility will allow for a fully enclosed process, which
uses anaerobic digestion technology and a biofuel processing line to convert
mixed kerbside organics and garden waste into fertiliser, biogas, and biofuel.
3.5 The
biogas produced through the anaerobic digestion process will be used as a
renewable energy alternative to current fossil fuels and supplied to
neighbouring industrial businesses. The liquid portion becomes a biofertiliser,
used to regenerate soil and provide nutrition for crops.
3.6 A group of
Councillors, Community Board members and representatives from the Greater
Hornby, Templeton and Prebbleton Residents Associations visited the Ecogas
sites at Papakura and Reporoa on 19 of February 2024 and will be able to share
their first-hand experience of this type of operation.
3.7 Ecogas are
advancing the design and consents for the facility during 2024 prior to
construction in 2025 and commissioning /operation in 2026.
3.8 There
is an opportunity for other Territorial Authorities in the Canterbury region to
utilise this facility for processing of food and or garden organics if it is designed
with sufficient capacity. The Canterbury Waste Joint Committee Staff group were
therefore invited to a presentation and question and answer session from
Ecogas, on Tuesday the 5th of March 2024.
3.9 To this end,
Ecogas and the Christchurch City Council have been seeking to gauge the level
of interest in future organics supply, from other Territorial Authorities in
the region.
3.10 The Project Timeline is as below.
Attachments Ngā Tāpirihanga
There are no
attachments to this report.
In addition to the attached documents, the following background
information is available:
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Document
Name – Location / File Link
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Not
applicable
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Confirmation of Statutory Compliance
Te Whakatūturutanga ā-Ture
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Compliance with Statutory Decision-making
Requirements (ss 76 - 81 Local Government Act 2002).
(a) This report contains:
(i) sufficient information about all reasonably practicable
options identified and assessed in terms of their advantages and
disadvantages; and
(ii) adequate consideration of the views and preferences of
affected and interested persons bearing in mind any proposed or previous
community engagement.
(b) The information reflects the level of significance of the
matters covered by the report, as determined in accordance with the Council's
significance and engagement policy.
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Signatories Ngā Kaiwaitohu
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Authors
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Eilidh Hilson
- Regional Waste Projects Facilitator
Lynne Armitage
- Senior Project Manager
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Approved By
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Alec McNeil -
Manager Resource Recovery
Lynette Ellis
- Head of Transport & Waste Management
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Canterbury Waste Joint Committee
08 April 2024
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5. Regional Waste Data Collection
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Reference Te Tohutoro:
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24/447938
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Responsible Officer(s) Te Pou Matua:
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Eilidh
Hilson, Regional Waste Projects Facilitator
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Accountable ELT Member Pouwhakarae:
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Jane
Parfitt, Interim General Manager Infrastructure, Planning and Regulatory
Services
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1. Purpose and Origin of the Report Te Pūtake Pūrongo
1.1 The
purpose of this report is to provide an update to the Canterbury Waste Joint
Committee (CWJC) on the mechanisms behind collation of waste data on a regional
level, from the perspective of the Waste Operator and Licensing Data System (‘WOLDS’)
project in the North Island.
1.2 Consultants from Eunomia Research & Consulting (Eunomia),
technical advisors on this project, will be presenting the information.
2. Officer
Recommendations Ngā Tūtohu
That
the Canterbury Waste Joint Committee:
1. Receive the information presented by Eunomia Research &
Consulting on the mechanisms behind the collation of waste data on a regional
level, from the perspective of the Waste Operator and Licensing Data
System project in the North Island.
2. Instruct staff to investigate and report back on options for
regional waste data collection methodology and how this could contribute to a
regional waste action plan or regional circular economy projects.
3. Background/Context Te Horopaki
3.1 There is general support from the CWJC staff group members,
for further investigation into regional waste data collection mechanisms.
3.2 Following
on from prior work commissioned by Environment Canterbury (ECan) (Waste Data
Gap Analysis Report) and presented to the CWJC, staff have sought advice from
regions in New Zealand who are presently undertaking this work.
3.3 One
such project is underway between the Bay of Plenty and Waikato Regional
Councils. This project is led by a Local Authority Shared Services group, on
behalf of the councils of the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions, and in
partnership with the Waikato local authority shared services organisation
“Co-Lab” and the Waikato Regional Council. It is supported with
technical advice from Eunomia.
3.4 Eunomia
have therefore been invited to speak to the CWJC on behalf of the councils
involved in the project, referred to as the “Waste Operator and Licensing
Data collection System project, or “WOLDS”.
3.5 To
implement a regional collaborative waste data collection system, the
methodology for registering tonnages and movements of waste in and between each
district, needs to be aligned. Advice is being been sought on how to align a
regional collection system with the Ministry for the Environment National Waste
Data Framework (NWDF); Ministry for the Environment - Improving Waste Data.
3.6 This
presentation will cover the current national legislative framework, and the
benefits and mechanisms for proceeding with regional actions to collate data.
For example, construction and demolition waste.
Attachments Ngā Tāpirihanga
There are no
attachments to this report.
In addition to the attached documents, the following background
information is available:
|
Document
Name – Location / File Link
|
|
Not
applicable
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Signatories Ngā Kaiwaitohu
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Author
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Eilidh Hilson
- Regional Waste Projects Facilitator
|
|
Approved By
|
Alec McNeil -
Manager Resource Recovery
Lynette Ellis
- Head of Transport & Waste Management
|
|
Canterbury Waste Joint Committee
08 April 2024
|
|
|
6. Canterbury Waste Joint Committee
Staff Group Update
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Reference Te Tohutoro:
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24/447944
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Responsible Officer(s) Te Pou Matua:
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Eilidh
Hilson, Regional Waste Projects Facilitator
|
|
Accountable ELT Member Pouwhakarae:
|
Jane
Parfitt, Interim General Manager Infrastructure, Planning and Regulatory
Services
|
1. Purpose and Origin of the Report Te Pūtake Pūrongo
1.1
The purpose of this report is to provide an update to the elected members of
the committee, on collaborative work between the members of the Canterbury
Regional Landfill Joint Committee (‘CWJC’) staff group.
1.2
The report is staff-generated.
2. Officer Recommendations Ngā Tūtohu
That the Canterbury
Waste Joint Committee:
1. Receive the information in the Canterbury Waste Joint Committee
Staff Group Update Report.
2. Consider the option of a workshop to discuss
applications to the collaborative fund prior to the committee meeting on the 5th
of August, where funds are allocated.
3. Background/Context Te Horopaki
3.1 The
CWJC Staff group consists of representatives from each Member Council’s
resource recovery services. In February 2023, a regional waste projects
facilitator was employed by the Christchurch City Council (CCC). Funding for
this role, and the annual regional collaborative fund is contributed by all the
member councils on a pro-rata by population basis.
4. Considerations Ngā Whai Whakaaro
Regional Waste Minimisation Funding
4.1 To attract high-quality applications and optimise funding for the
2024 round, a communications plan has been developed by the CCC Communications
and Marketing Team (Attachment A). This fund has not previously had a
communications plan. The brief was for suitable advertising resources for all
member councils and emphasised that the committee are seeking innovative
projects that benefit wider Canterbury.
4.2 Administrative support and technical advice are provided to
potential and current fund recipients. Organisations and individuals that do
not meet the criteria are directed towards more suitable funds. Projects that
do meet the criteria are provided support to ensure the quality of
applications. The CCC Funding Team have assisted in streamlining the online
application process.
4.3 Ongoing involvement with fund recipients, to continue the
relationship with waste minimisation activity occurring in the region, is
facilitated where possible. Examples include ongoing collaboration with
Pare Kore (a national Māori zero waste organisation) and the Canterbury
Agricultural and Pastoral Show.
4.4 It is recommended that Councillors consider the option of a workshop
to discuss the applications, before the public committee meeting on the 5th
of August, where funds are allocated.
Kerbside Recycling Standardisation
4.5 From
the 1st of February 2024, the Ministry for the Environment (MfE)
legislated that a standard set of materials are the only items accepted in
council-provided kerbside recycling and organics collections across the
country.
4.6 To
ensure residents across the Canterbury region are receiving consistent
messaging, staff from the Territorial Authorities (TAs) have been facilitated
to use shared resources, including: communications plans, new signage,
educational materials, wording for council websites, and collated feedback from
residents.
4.7 The
purpose of this collaboration is to utilise communications around the changes
to reduce contamination in recycling across the region, increase ratepayer
confidence in council messaging and services, and prevent duplication of
effort. Where relevant, the regional council have also been included in
communications, including the update of internal bin signage for their staff
facilities, to align with the kerbside changes.
4.8 Kerbside
standardisation has also required ongoing communication, as a region, with MfE.
This has allowed for a stronger collaborative voice to progress issues, and has
included meeting with MfE as a regional group to discuss priorities and issues
raised by TAs.
4.9 The
EcoSort Materials Recovery Facility on Parkhouse Road, which received the
materials from multiple districts, held an open day on 9 March 2024. An updated
promotional video was created as an educational asset to share with the TAs
that use this facility. This resource conveys clear recycling messaging, adding
context by depicting processing requirements and the effects of contamination
on the quality of recycling products.
4.10 Multiple
TAs in Canterbury carry out kerbside recycling bin auditing. Auditing
methodology resources have been shared, to ensure further consistency.
National Work Programme Collaboration
Waste
Management Institute New Zealand (WasteMINZ) Working Groups
Territorial Authority Officers (TAO) Forum Steering Committee
4.11 The
purpose of the TAO Forum is to facilitate the sharing of knowledge, resources
and best practices around waste, recycling, and resource recovery for
territorial authorities. Representation on the Steering Committee allows for
increased communication of the priorities identified within this region.
4.12 Activities
currently on the work programme, include (but are not limited to):
· The provision of an online
portal for all TAs in the country to share resources. Examples include Waste
Minimisation and Management Plan planning documentation, Bylaws, Waste
Management Plan templates for events, construction sites and multi-use dwellings,
and communications and consultation guidance.
· A collaboratively funded
project to provide councils with a step-by-step guide to assist in the
implementation of kerbside organics collection services or to change to a
different service (for April 2024). TAs in Canterbury have been assisting with
this project.
· Progression of product
stewardship-related actions.
Batteries Working
Group
4.13 Batteries
pose a serious fire and environmental risk within collection and processing
assets across the region. Actions involve working with industry, FENZ and
WorkSafe with three main focuses: behaviour change to enable safe disposal,
product stewardship and safe set up of collection receptacles. It was
identified by the group that there is lack of guidance and regulation around
collection box set-up and standard operating procedures in New Zealand. This is
the current focus.
Farm Waste Working Group
4.14 This
newly formed group aims to address methods on ways to minimise
and remediate the environmental impact (land, soil, and water contamination) of
waste generated through agricultural and horticultural activities, through a
cross-sector working group. Representatives from
ECan and Christchurch City Council have joined this group. As of the time of
this report, objectives and priorities were being established, after the first
meeting in February 2024, to be shared with the wider Canterbury staff. It is
anticipated that there will be further regional action opportunities arising
from this.
Addition Local Government Group Activity
Illegal Dumping Prevention Working Group
4.15 As
of the time of reporting, this newly formed group have had an initial meeting,
to establish the purpose. The group has shared initial enforcement methodology
and mechanisms, ideas around the national approach to messaging and education
and a discussion of service provision.
4.16 Illegal
dumping has been identified as a significant issue within the Canterbury
region. Therefore, a regional stakeholder’s group may be an option moving
forward, linking in with this prevention group, to establish a regional action
plan.
Waste
Minimisation Officers Huitima
4.17 This
quarterly meeting is coordinated by councils around the country, and provides
updates to all local government staff, working in resource recovery and solid
waste. Ministry for the Environment and WasteMINZ have standing agenda slots.
Councils can present on relevant projects, to share resources and learnings
from the delivery of programmes and activities.
Ministry for the Environment (MfE)
Organics Project
4.18 Research is currently underway, looking into behaviours behind
household usage of different types of kerbside organics systems. This is part of a wider national project on food scrap
collection. Four TAs in Canterbury are currently working with
the MfE on this project.
Disaster Waste Management Planning
4.19 A
national workshop on planning for the management of solid waste generated in
disaster scenarios, was facilitated by WasteMINZ, on the 13th of
March 2024. There was an opportunity to attend in person at Civic Offices in
Christchurch.
4.20 Attendees
(regional, city and district council staff from Resource Recovery, Contaminated
Land, Civil Defence, and representatives from key contractors), heard
presentations on recent case studies. This was followed by a regional
collaboration session to address key considerations.
4.21 A
follow-up meeting to address actions identified in this session is planned for
the attendees and other key contacts, in late April to early May. The agenda is
to assign actions, determine responsibilities and facilitate ongoing
collaboration.
Regional Waste Data
4.22 Staff
from the regional council have sought advice from regions in New Zealand who
are undertaking waste data collection. The technical advisory consultancy
involved in the “Waste Operator and Licensing Data Collection System
project, “WOLDS”, in the Central North Island, has been invited to
present on their project, to the CWJC.
4.23 There
is ongoing collaboration between the members of the CWJC to explore this
opportunity and what the outcomes would be for the Canterbury region.
Attachments Ngā Tāpirihanga
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No.
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Title
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Reference
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Page
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a ⇩
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Waste
Minimisation Grant Design Brief
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24/459061
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19
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In addition to the attached documents, the following background
information is available:
|
Document
Name – Location / File Link
|
|
Not
applicable
|
Signatories
Ngā Kaiwaitohu
|
Author
|
Eilidh Hilson
- Regional Waste Projects Facilitator
|
|
Approved By
|
Alec McNeil -
Manager Resource Recovery
Lynette Ellis
- Head of Transport & Waste Management
|
