Project Groundswell to be discontinued

A solar drying facility for sludge that was to be developed in the Upper Clutha has been discontinued after agreement was reached between Queenstown Lakes District Council and the plant’s developer, Fulton Hogan.

Project Groundswell was being developed as a way of treating the sludge from the Wanaka’s sewerage treatment plant. Using the sun to dry the material, the plan was to use glass solar drying houses to process the sludge to a point where it could be dispersed straight onto land as fertiliser. Using biosolids as a soil conditioner would minimise waste to landfill and provide beneficial reuse of waste material.

The agreement was initially signed in 2012, with commercial negotiations between QLDC and Fulton Hogan beginning after consents were issued in 2014. However, as more detailed information became available it was clear that the initial proposal wasn’t cost effective for either party and late last month both parties agreed to terminate the agreement.

QLDC General Manager Property & Infrastructure, Peter Hansby is comfortable with the termination of the agreement. “While it is a minor setback in how we deal with this waste stream, it has been a robust process where the parties worked closely to understand all the risks. Both parties have agreed to termination without incurring unnecessary costs”.

“We’re keen to look at other ways we can deal with this material. Investigating alternative solutions for biosolids and sludge disposal are proposed in the draft Waste Minimisation and Management Plan. The draft Plan closed for public consultation earlier this week, and Council will consider the submissions and the options later this month. Dealing with the final product from sewerage treatment operations is a problem worldwide, and one we’re keen to find an innovative solution for.”

Paul Bisset, Fulton Hogan’s Regional Manager, Central, believes the decision is the best outcome for both parties, as well as ratepayers.

“Fulton Hogan did a lot of preparation at the time of applying for the resource consent, but it became clear after further detailed analysis, that a number of factors made this proposal untenable. That said, we continue to have a good working relationship with QLDC and look forward to helping them try and find another solution for disposing of this material.”

Until a new solution is reached, waste from Wanaka and Queenstown’s sewerage treatment plants (Project Pure and Project Shotover) will continue to be transported to the Kings Bend Quarry in Winton where it is mixed with lime and used as a stabiliser.

ENDS

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