Waimate waste-to-energy plant
Find out about the resource consent applications from South Island Resource Recovery Limited (SIRRL) for a proposed waste to energy plant in Waimate.
Current status: The Minister for the Environment has decided to call in the proposal. Read our full statement.
Proposal summary
South Island Resource Recovery Ltd (SIRRL) applied to us for seven resource consents, and Waimate District Council for one resource consent, to permanently operate a large waste-to-energy incinerator in Waimate.
The proposed facility would burn up to 1000 tonnes per day of everyday rubbish (technically known as municipal solid waste) and construction and demolition waste.
Applications lodged
Applications being processed
Public notification
Submissions close
Hearing
Decision
It would burn about 20 percent of all rubbish produced in the South Island, to generate up to 30MW of electricity per year – enough to power tens of thousands of homes.
The waste will be delivered to the site by up to 70 trucks per day initially, with a view to eventually using the railway network.
Most waste will be unloaded directly from trucks into an eight-metre-deep fuel bunker that will hold up to 7000 tonnes.
The facility will also allow for the storage of up to 45,000 tonnes of baled construction and demolition waste in a covered warehouse.
The proposal will use up to 2500m3 per day of water (application pending) and generate up to 20,000 tonnes per year of 'fly ash' (ash generated during combustion) that will be vitrified (encased in glass).
It will also generate 80,000 tonnes of grate ash that will need to be disposed of by other means. After being burnt, any air discharges will be cleaned, with residual contaminants being discharged from a 75m high exhaust system.
Background
In September 2022, we received and began auditing resource consent applications from SIRRL for a proposed waste-to-energy plant near Waimate. The applications were returned in October 2022 due to insufficient information being supplied regarding the proposed activities of the plant, and their effect on the environment.
SIRRL submitted revised applications in November 2022, which we again returned due to insufficient information being supplied – in particular, the lack of a cultural impact assessment. In January 2023, we received a formal objection to our decision to return the revised applications.
In April 2023 a joint hearing was held for us and Waimate District Council (who had also returned SIRRL's application) regarding our returning of the revised applications. The commissioner found in favour of the applicant, and we and Waimate District Council commenced formally processing the applications.
Our councillors agreed in June 2023 to send a request to the Minister for the Environment to ‘call in’ the resource consent applications in accordance with Section 142 of the RMA. Waimate District Council has done the same. SIRRL also sent a request to the Minister for the Environment to ‘call in’ their proposal. The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) sent advice to the Minister, recommending the proposal to be called in. See EPA's advice and recommendation (PDF File, 2.75MB).
In September 2023 the Minister made the decision to call in the proposal. See the Minister's letter (PDF File, 526.19KB). The EPA will take over the management of the applications, and the Environment Court will be the decision-maker on the overall proposal. View application's progress.
Request for further information
Following a technical review of the resource consent application documents, we have requested further information from SIRRL to fully understand the proposal and the actual and potential effects. Read the letter (PDF File, 12.49MB).
Although the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is now administering the process after it was called in, all parties see value in these additional, comprehensive questions from our experts - as they will enable a better understanding of matters that are missing or unclear from the applications. We have proceeded on this basis.
Resource consent applications and documentation
Eight resource consents are required under the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan and Canterbury Air Regional Plan to construct and operate the proposed facility. SIRRL has submitted the following seven:
- CRC232720 - Resubmission of CRC231565 - To discharge contaminants to air from a waste incinerator and diesel generators
- CRC232714 - Resubmission of CRC231559 - To excavate and deposit materials
- CRC232715 - Resubmission of CRC231560 - To use and store hazardous materials
- CRC232716 - Resubmission of CRC231561 - To take groundwater for dewatering purposes
- CRC232718 - Resubmission of CRC231562 - To discharge construction phase stormwater to land and to discharge dewatering water to water
- CRC232717 - Resubmission of CRC231564 - To discharge operational phase stormwater to land
- CRC232719 - Resubmission of CRC231563 - To discharge contaminants to land from an onsite wastewater system
The following consent still needs to be submitted:
- Take and use of groundwater (application pending)
What happens next?
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) will take over the management of the consent applications, including the public notification and calling for submissions, before handing it over to the Environment Court to consider and decide.
Both our council and Waimate District Council will still have a role in preparing planning reports and providing technical and planning support.
Both councils will be talking to the EPA about how the matter proceeds from here, and when it will be publicly notified. Once the proposal is notified, the public will have 30 days to make submissions.
There is no statutory deadline for when the Environment Court needs to make its decision.