Queenstown protest over QLDC emergency sewage plan

Media release from Queenstown Community Action - a new community group focussed on challenging QLDC plans to use emergency powers in order to discharge partially treated sewage into the Kawarau River.

“Queenstown Community Action is hosting a protest on Wed Mar 26 from 8am to demand the QLDC does not discharge 12,000+ m/3 of treated effluent directly into the Shotover River. They intend to do this for at least five years.

QLDC is planning to use emergency powers under s330 of the Resource Management Act to proceed without resource consent, without any community oversight, without elected Councillor approval, and without any consultation with local iwi. It is in direct contravention of the MOU they have with iwi to act as partners in any resource management decisions.

There have been ongoing issues with the treatment plant, and particularly the disposal field. The QLDC has told councillors that there is such a significant risk of bird strike for the QT airport that it constitutes an emergency.

Using emergency powers would enable it to discharge without resource consent and seek consent later. The QLDC has recently been in mediation with the Otago Regional Council in the Environment Court over multiple breaches of consent conditions and after having failed to correct problems despite multiple abatement notices.

We, as a community, have the power to stop this and prevent a potential environmental disaster - not just for Queenstown residents but for all communities downstream. Join us on Wednesday morning from 8am to make our voices heard. 

Protest Event details: https://www.facebook.com/events/9394182393952384

FB Page with info on the issues: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574190040099 “