Christchurch resource recovery park prepares for transition to recreation site

The Burwood Resource Recovery Park that was established after the Christchurch earthquakes to sort through the vast volumes of construction and demolition waste from across Christchurch is being prepared for its transition into a recreation site.

As much of the waste as possible has been recycled but some could not be re-used and remains on the site. Final landscaping plans are being drawn up so that the Burwood Resource Recovery Park can be incorporated into neighbouring Bottle Lake Forest Park by early 2022.

Material from sites where there was a loss of life in the 22nd February 2011 earthquakes is also stored at the park but has been kept in a separate area. Christchurch City Council plans to engage with quake victims’ families later this year on how the sensitive material will be dealt with long-term.

 Council Solid Waste Manager Ross Trotter advised “the Burwood Resource Recovery Park stopped receiving construction and demolition waste at the end of last year but it will continue to receive truckloads of soil until the end of this year.”

The soil is being used to cover over the compacted mounds of rubble in preparation for landscaping. Already about 35,000 native plants have been planted in the area.

Trotter added “when the landscaping work is completed we will have an additional recreation area that will include walking tracks, mountain bike tracks and areas for bird watching.  It will offer some great scenic views of the Kaikoura ranges and the Canterbury foothills so it will be a good addition to the Bottle Lake Forest Park.”

Image courtesy of Christchurch City Council