Residents' relief after rendering firm guilty after 173 odour complaints

A Timaru rendering company has been found guilty of 10 environmental offences after Environment Canterbury received 173 complaints about offensive smells over three months.

Farm Brands faced 12 charges relating to odours from its Washdyke plant, with the Christchurch District Court dismissing two charges and finding the company guilty of the remaining 10.

Of the complaints received between February and April 2024, 79 were made on the six days that formed the basis of the prosecution.

Timaru resident Michelle Hand said unpleasant smells had been a problem around Washdyke for years.

“The smell can range from being relatively mild to extremely repugnant.”

She said the severity varied depending on weather conditions and wind direction.

“At its worst, it is extremely unpleasant and certainly not something anyone should have to put up with.”

Hand said the Smithfield freezing works had historically been blamed for the smells, but she believed the problem had continued after its closure.

“This is why I believe Farm Brands may be responsible, although I can’t personally confirm the source,” she said.

Hand said she had not spent as much time in Washdyke recently and could not say whether conditions had significantly improved but hoped the court decision would lead to lasting change.

“Hopefully, this will lead to improvements so that people living and working in the area don’t have to continue putting up with these unpleasant smells.”

Regan Thompson, who works in Treneglos St, Washdyke, was similarly hopeful.

“The guilty finding reinforces the importance of businesses meeting their environmental obligations,” he said.

“I’d like to see continued investment in odour-control measures and regular monitoring to ensure the issue is properly addressed.”

Thompson said the smell was particularly noticeable on hot, still summer days.

“When the smell is strong, we tend to keep the office windows closed because it is unpleasant.”

Thompson, who has previously worked around rendering plants, said he recognised the smell immediately.

“I was surprised to read that it was considered a mystery smell across Timaru because, to me, it was easily identifiable.”

ECan compliance manager Jennifer Rochford said the regional council had worked with the Washdyke community on odour issues for several years.

“In 2021, the Timaru Odour Pilot Project identified a number of potential odour sources in the area, including Farm Brands,” she said.

“Following the project, changes were made at the Farm Brands site to help reduce odour impacts.”

However, complaints increased again in late 2023, prompting ECan to step up monitoring, which led to the charges and subsequent convictions.

“While residents continue to report odour issues, complaints are not being received as frequently as they were during the period that led to the prosecution,” Rochford said.

Farm Brands is due to be sentenced in February 2027.

The company was contacted for comment but did not respond.

Rafaella Melo is a multimedia journalist with more than 10 years’ experience in Brazil. She spent nearly two years reporting for Hawke’s Bay Today before joining the NZ Herald’s Christchurch team in 2026.