Plans to build a plant near Wanaka to dry sewerage sludge using the sun have been ditched.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council announced yesterday it was discontinuing the Fulton Hogan project, which gained resource consent in 2014.
In a press release, council general manager property and infrastructure Peter Hansby said the plan was to use solar drying houses to process the sludge to a point where it could be dispersed straight on to land as fertiliser.
However, Mr Hansby said it became clear the proposal was not cost effective for either party.
"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.
"Dealing with the final product from sewerage treatment operations is a problem worldwide, and one we're keen to find an innovative solution for."
Until a solution is found, waste from Wanaka and Queenstown's 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.
