Public submissions open on QLDC sewage discharges into Shotover River
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Otago Regional Council has publicly notified two resource consent applications made by Queenstown Lakes District Council – around operation of its Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Two resource consent applications – which appear in published Public Notices today (20th) - have been made to the Otago Regional Council by Queenstown Lakes District Council for discharge of wastewater from the Shotover Wastewater Treatment plant to the Shotover River and to establish and maintain an outfall structure and diversion channel in the Shotover River near Queenstown.
ORC’s Manager Consents Alexandra King acknowledges the high degree of public interest in the application.
“Council is committed to processing these applications in line with the Resource Management Act and public notification is the next step in this process,” she says.
QLDC had requested one application be publicly notified and the other will also be notified for special circumstances; with submissions opening for an extended period of six weeks from today (20th) until 1 November.
“Due to the high level of public interest the submission period has been extended from the normal four weeks to six weeks,” Ms King says.
There is no timeline on a when a decision will be made, as the Environment Court will be the decision-maker on the applications. (*see note below)
Ms King says the consent types applied for cover discharge and water permits and land use consents.
The first application, RM25.206, is for disposal of treated wastewater to water from the Shotover wastewater treatment plant and to construct a riprap outfall structure in the bed of the Shotover River/Kimiākau.
The second application, RM25.177, is to construct and operate a diversion channel within the bed of the Shotover River/Kimiākau to ensure the discharge of treated wastewater sought (to be authorised under RM25.206 above) is always to flowing water.
There will be formal Public Notices published tomorrow 20 September outlining the application process.
Physical site notices will also be placed near the plant shortly.
*On 11 July QLDC’s request for its resource consent applications (RM25.206 and RM25.177) to discharge treated wastewater to Shotover River were directly referred to the Environment Court, after approval was granted by ORC.
This means while ORC will continue to process the consent, seek public submissions, and provide an assessment of the application and a report, the matter will be referred to the Environment Court to act as the decision-maker.
Original 11 July release on referral to Environment Court:
Further details of the applications and how to make submissions can be found at:
www.orc.govt.nz/consents/current-notified-applications
Anyone making a submission needs to follow the format set out and send it to the Consents Team and the Applicant. Enquiries can also made to ORC on 0800 474 082 or at [email protected]
Background.
Queenstown Lakes District Council owns and operates the Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant located on the Shotover River Delta near Queenstown.
QLDC hold resource consents from ORC covering a range of activities on site, including the discharge of treated wastewater. ORC monitors compliance with conditions of consents and processes any consent applications.
Investigations into incidents QLDC’s wastewater treatment site have been the highest priority investigation for ORC.
As part of ongoing investigations ORC has sought technical specialist advice around the site since July 2024.
As of 4 April 2025, ORC has undertaken the following compliance actions:
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Two Abatement notices – which requires actions within a certain timeframe.
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Ten Infringements issued - Written notice and fine (set as between $300-$1000 in the regulations).
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One Enforcement Order - On 9 June 2025, the Environment Court approved the application for an Enforcement Order, which requires QLDC to undertake a number of actions aimed at achieving compliance on site. ORC will monitor compliance with the Order.
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Regular Monitoring - ORC staff are onsite regularly to monitor the discharges and compliance. As of 7 April 2025,
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ORC is undertaking weekly monitoring at Council’s State Of the Environment monitoring site on the Kawarau at Chard Road.
Monthly sampling, or sampling after any incident, will continue from the established sites below:
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Upstream entirely of the Shotover WWTP and ponds (before the SH6 bridge)
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Final discharge post-UV treatment
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Discharge to the river (at the last realistic and safe point)
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Approximately 200 metres downstream
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Upstream of Kawarau River
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Downstream of Kawarau River (past Shotover River)
ORC will also continue to monitor the Kawarau River at Chard Road site once a week.
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