Cedenco to lead on water and waste

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

CEDENCO Foods have agreed to a partnership with the Government and Gisborne District Council to lead an investigation into developing a large water recycling plant as part of the regional growth programme. It will also look at waste management.

The five-year economic development “action plan” announced on Tuesday covers a wide range of areas from jobs and skills training to tourism investment, wood processing and road improvements.

Under the heading “to ensure long-term sustainable water for horticulture”, the plan includes research and investment in a large-scale water recycling plant. The investigation project will be led by Cedenco and completed by August next near.

At the same time, Cedenco will take the lead on researching and identifying waste stream management options for horticultural processing.

The work will be completed concurrently and as well as water recycling, could involve large waste compaction, bio-gas and fertiliser, and soil conditioner plants.

“The opportunity exists for the local food processing industry to lighten its footprint,” said Cedenco Foods managing director Tim Chrisp.

“We can do that by decreasing the amount of water taken for food processing from the GDC and also by converting water naturally extracted from processing products into processed and potable (drinkable) water.

“This will improve the quality of the trade waste discharge from industry in Gisborne and substantially decrease the number of trucks on the road carting industrial green waste,” Mr Chrisp said.

“Also, the by-product energy produced could be consumed by industry and then there are further by-products created like fertiliser and compost. All of which will provide long sustainability.”

Mr Chrisp said Cedenco Foods were very happy to be part of the regional growth programme.

“We will commit our resources to it.”

He hopes the investigation process into both components of the action plan that involves Cedenco can be started within three months.

“We are waiting for confirmation of government support and funding. Once we receive that, we will work with Activate Tairawhiti and other local agencies to establish an investgation team to get the projects under way.”