A new approach to investigating ongoing problem odours in some parts of Bromley has generated preliminary findings that
will help identify sources of problem odours.
Environment Canterbury, with the support of the Christchurch City Council and the Bromley community, carried out a pilot
study in March 2020. It saw residents reporting odour via a ‘Smelt-It’ mobile app, with reports then cross-referenced
with weather conditions and onsite observations.
Environment Canterbury Operations Director Nadeine Dommisse said the study identified Christchurch City Council-run
facilities Living Earth and EcoDrop as significant odour emitters. The two councils had worked closely throughout the
study, and Christchurch City Council had welcomed the findings. Both councils would work together to address any
problems related to these two public facilities as quickly as possible.
“We know this has been an issue for Bromley residents for a long time and it hasn’t been an easy one to resolve. Tracing
odour is a complex issue and the usual methods councils use to track odour simply didn’t work in Bromley. The variables
involved include the number of potential sources, wind, weather, temperature, timing, distance, topography, and
sometimes even a combination of odours, all making it difficult to pin down what residents were describing, and where an
odour might be coming from.
“Over the last few years we’ve systematically worked through a process, talking to residents, mapping odour-emitting
businesses and other work, which has culminated in the pilot study.
“The pilot study took a new approach, using reports from the community via a mobile app, and an independent odour
assessor. Those reports were compared to wind and weather information and site operational data provided by the
Christchurch City Council.
“These three datastreams enabled us to bring together odour reports, the physical impact on residents and the likely
location at the same time. It’s given us a compelling picture we’ve not had before, and a new way to investigate these
sorts of issues. We’re very grateful to the Bromley community and the Christchurch City Council for their support.
Together we’ve been able to develop the information we need to finally make a difference”.
Environment Canterbury would work closely with the Christchurch City Council to progressively address the issue with
Living Earth and EcoDrop. Environment Canterbury would continue to work with other odour emitting businesses in Bromley
and further investigate the possibility that some odours were combining to create a worse one, she said.
“The Bromley community remain a vital part of the solution. We need them to continue to report odours so we can tell if
progress in reducing odours is being made or not.
“A collaborative approach will produce faster results for affected residents. We can now better identify where problems
can occur in certain conditions, potential emitters, and address them. While we have identified the Christchurch City
Council-run facilities as being significant emitters, we will also be working with other odour-emitting businesses in
Bromley to ensure they are managing odour appropriately.”
Christchurch City Council Head of Three Waters and Waste Helen Beaumont said the Council welcomed the pilot study
findings.
“Environment Canterbury’s pilot study findings are an important step in determining what’s causing the offensive odours
in some parts of Bromley. The study indicates the EcoDrop transfer station and the Living Earth composting plant
facilities are significant contributors to the odour issue.
“We appreciate our community will want action and we’ll be working with Environment Canterbury to determine what
immediate actions, other investigations or further information might be needed to address the issue. We’ll also be
taking a proactive approach working with Living Earth and EcoDrop to share technology, best practices and initiatives to
help further improve our processes.”
For more information on the pilot, see ecan.govt.nz/bromleyodour.