QLDC blocks future Hāwea development due to sewage plant failures

From QLDC - Hawea Wastewater Treatment Plant Capacity Constraints  

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) has introduced measures to limit additional loading on the Hāwea Wastewater Treatment Plant after the facility failed to achieve its 12-month rolling mean for nitrogen levels in its treated wastewater. Council is currently operating under an abatement notice from the Otago Regional Council (ORC) in relation to its compliance with nitrogen discharge limits.  

Council is delivering major upgrades to the Upper Clutha wastewater network, which are scheduled for completion by early 2027. These improvements will significantly increase capacity and support future growth in the Hāwea area. To protect the environment and meet regulatory requirements, Council is limiting new connections to the Hāwea wastewater network until planned upgrades are complete. 

Guidance on resource consent applications  

Council’s Planning and Development team has issued a practice note to provide the public with clarity on how resource consent applications will be considered given that Council is limiting connections to the Hāwea Wastewater Treatment Plant until the above-mentioned upgrade works are completed.  

A copy of this practice note can be found at https://www.qldc.govt.nz/media/ptnnszq0/qldc_hawea-wastewater-practice-note_a4-web_sep25.pdf.

All subdivision applications yet to be lodged and subdivision applications currently being processed that do not meet the listed exemptions below will have conditions of consent imposed on them (should they be approved) that restrict the ability to connect to the Hāwea Wastewater Treatment Plant until the Council has confirmed that the Upper Clutha wastewater network upgrades are complete (anticipated early 2027).  

Exemptions - New connections may be permitted in limited circumstances 

Until the upgrades are complete, new wastewater connections in Hawea may only be approved in limited circumstances. These include: 

• Building on a vacant section that already has an existing wastewater connection. 

• Developments with a valid resource or building consent granted before 30 September 2025 where the consent has not lapsed and conditions are complied with. 

• Adding a second residential unit or a residential flat as a permitted activity (i.e., no resource consent is required as all district plan rules are met). 

• Two-lot subdivisions under the Proposed District Plan where the only reason for subdivision consent is a rule breach of Rule 27.5.2, or 27.5.3, or 27.5.5, or 27.5.7, and all other district plan rules are met.   

Council has carefully considered the capacity issues in connection with the currently consented and permitted activities and considers this an appropriate response to the issue at this time.    

More information 

For detailed guidance, including conditions that will apply to subdivision consents (except those listed above), please visit https://www.qldc.govt.nz/media/ptnnszq0/qldc_hawea-wastewater-practice-note_a4-web_sep25.pdf.