The apology comes almost two years after the blaze destroyed the trickling filters at the Christchurch Wastewater Treatment Plant.
It stems from an independent report, commissioned by council chief executive Dawn Baxendale, which criticised the council’s response to the fire and the aftermath, saying it was “too slow to recognise” the stench was a significant community issue.
The review, under taken by Wellington consultants Tregaskis Brown Ltd, looked into the community response and communication with residents during and after the fire.
City council general manager community, infrastructure and planning Mary Richardson said: "We are sorry. We want to learn the lessons from this response and work with the communities to ensure their voices are heard and contribute to council decision-making in a meaningful way in the future.
"As a council, we recognise our obligations to ensure the wellbeing of our residents.
"In response to the fire, the attention was focused on keeping the plant operating.
"We did not consider early enough the impact that the fire and its aftermath would have on the wellbeing of our residents.”
The review addressed what went well, what could have been done better, and how the council can ensure its response to future similar events is improved.
The plant lost 60 per cent of its processing capability in a matter of hours after the fire, but the council kept the treatment process running and continues to do so.
The review found the focus on maintaining uninterrupted service was an “enormous challenge”, given the scale of the damage.
It also said there should have been a greater focus on the community.
The council was too slow to recognise the impact of the odours from the ponds on communities in the eastern suburbs, as well as provide them information and support.
The review identified that by late April, there was a discernible improvement in the level of engagement and community support.
Public communications increased and started referring to the smells as “stench” rather than “unpleasant odour”, air quality monitoring started, health advice was provided, information about paint discolouration was developed and a community support package was rolled out.
“In the end council got it right, but it was too late. Months had been lost at the start of the process and the council was always playing catch-up," the review says.
Following the review, the council has developed a draft improvement plan which councillors will also receive.
This plan identifies the need to work collaboratively with the local community, key partners and the local Waitai Coastal-Burwood-Linwood Community Board.
