After twenty years of toil the future of an innovative Cromwell business is now uncertain after the owner was told his lease wil not be renewed.

Robbie Dick says when he started Central Wormworx, Central Otago district councillors praised his idea as being ahead of its time, due to the environmental benefits.  

Getting established had been hard yakka with “a lot of shovel work”, he says. It was a bit less manual now but still often demanded attention seven days a week. He had, however, been buoyed by the enthusiasm, support and growth in the number of customers, and has been sending tiger worms and soil conditioner all over New Zealand for many years.

The soil conditioner or worm cast is highly prized as being better than compost at improving soil quality and pasture. The worms themselves are sold by the kilogram to allow people to create their own wormcast and for breaking down waste such as in composting toilets.

Thousands of tonnes of organic waste was diverted from landfill to feed the worms with local supermarkets, farms and orchards supplying the bulk.

The plot the business occupies is owned by the Central Otago District Council who informed Robbie the lease would not be renewed when his current term expired next year.

Robbie says the business had been supported in its early days by the council via a $17,000 loan to help set up infrastructure like piping and buildings. Private businesses inspired by its green credentials also supported Wormworx, with discounted freight costs and the like.

The cancelling of the Wormworx lease was unexpected and no reason for the move had been given by the CODC, Robbie says.

He was offered an alternative site off Richards Beach but this was not a practical option due to the cost of setting up again from scratch.

“I don’t know why its finishing, we pay market rent here. It is a huge job picking up a worm farm and shifting it. To shift the sheds alone would be huge, they’re sitting on concrete and I’m a bit long in the tooth for all that now.”

Trying to find a buyer for the business who was willing to take on moving it, was proving equally daunting, he said, as they would be faced with relocation costs and have no income until the farm was operational again.

Financial implications aside, Robbie says he’s saddened by the thought the business may not continue.

“It is a great pity as we’ve done a good service for the district over the years and a lot of people have supported us. I’ve worked at it seven days a week and I’d like to see someone take over and be successful to keep the initiative going.”

Neighbouring business, Otago Metals Central have been told their lease will expire in 2024 with no certainty of renewal. Part owner Graham Rollo said the prospect of having to move the business was a worry with the yard space required as well as a central location.

He said council had been supportive but had not been able to give any certainty as to what their intention was, due to future plans not being yet confirmed.

“I can understand council wanting to plan but when you’re a business you need that direction where you go to.”

The business, based in Dunedin has been recycling metal in Central Otago for 45 years. He intended to contact council again next year to try and obtain a firm decision on the lease.

Lease worries ongoing…Cromwell Mini-golf owner Shona Rae.

Last month the Central App reported a Big Fruit reserve business, Cromwell Mini-Golf, was facing uncertainty after the term of its lease was shortened considerably to allow for possible developments associated with the Cromwell Masterplan.

The Central Otago District Council had not responded to the Central App’s questions by deadline yesterday.