Following the large fire that destroyed the internal trickling filter plant at the Bromley Wastewater Treatment Plant, Southern Demolition & Salvage were initially engaged by Christchurch City Council to provide emergency assistance to Fire and Emergency New Zealand. Our role was to support the safe suppression of the fire, working in challenging conditions to help stabilise the site and enable emergency services to safely access the affected structure.
Once the fire was extinguished and the site was deemed safe to enter, Southern Demolition was re-engaged to undertake the highly complex removal of the contaminated, fire-damaged organic filter media and associated waste materials. The works required careful planning and innovative engineering solutions due to the structural damage, confined working environment, and the significant environmental considerations associated with the site.
Located within a residential area that had experienced ongoing odour issues both prior to and following the fire, the project demanded a strong focus on environmental management and community impact. Detailed planning was undertaken to minimise odour, dust, noise, and disruption throughout the demolition and clean-up process. Strict environmental controls, continuous monitoring, and carefully managed waste handling procedures ensured the works were completed responsibly while maintaining compliance with all regulatory requirements.
To safely access the damaged internal trickling filter structures, our team designed and constructed two purpose-built working platforms capable of supporting heavy demolition equipment within the confined space. Craned-in excavators were then utilised to systematically remove the fire-damaged organic media and contaminated waste from within the filter beds. Each stage of the extraction process was carefully sequenced to maintain structural stability, maximise safety, and facilitate the efficient removal, containment, and disposal of contaminated materials.
The successful completion of this project highlighted Southern Demolition & Salvage’s capability to rapidly mobilise following emergency events and deliver complex demolition solutions under demanding conditions. By combining innovative engineering, experienced personnel, and rigorous environmental management practices, our team successfully delivered a safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible outcome within one of Christchurch’s most sensitive operational and community environments.