QLDC files charges against three companies over Skyline debris flow

Charges have been laid in relation to a debris flow that led to a local state of emergency being declared in Queenstown a year ago.

In a statement, the Queenstown Lake District Council confirms it "has commenced a prosecution relating to activities that allegedly contributed to the slip that occurred on the Ben Lomond Reserve that affected Reavers Lane on 22 September 2023".

Cut rock and shingle piled at a construction site at the Skyline gondola, September 2023.

The council has filed charges against three companies for alleged breaches of the Resource Management Act.

The defendants are due to appear in the Queenstown District Court on October 21.

"As the matter is before court, the council will not be commenting further at this stage," the statement says.

In September, during torrential rain, a debris flow alleged to have started at a construction site at the top of the gondola covered areas around Reavers Lane, off Gorge Road in Queenstown, damaging private property and forcing residents and businesses to evacuate overnight.

An investigation by Crux in the weeks following the storm revealed Skyline to be the likely source of the Reavers Lane flow, forcing the company to issue an apology and district mayor Glyn Lewers to demand answers.

Soon after, the council launched its own investigation into the incident.

Upgrades at the top terminal of the Skyline gondola have been carried out by lead contractor Naylor Love.

Main image (Supplied): The aftermath of a debris flow into Reavers Lane on September 22, 2023.