Request approved for retrospective consent regarding wastewater discharge to go before Environment Court

Queenstown Lakes District Council’s (QLDC) request for its resource consent application to discharge treated wastewater to Shotover River has been directly referred to the Environment Court, after approval was granted by Otago Regional Council (ORC) today.

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.

As previously detailed, the Environment Court will follow a process that will fully uphold public participation principles, including the right of submitters to appear, be heard, and be parties to Court assisted mediation, which is free of charge to all participants. 

ENDS | KUA MUTU.

Media contact: communications@qldc.govt.nz or call 03 441 1802.

FURTHER INFORMATION | Kā pāroko tāpiri:

Otago Regional Council Memorandum regarding QLDC direct referral request: https://www.qldc.govt.nz/media/hpjptybx/memo-qldc-direct-referal-recommendation.pdf

Otago Regional Council Response regarding QLDC direct referral request: https://www.qldc.govt.nz/media/q0zblf34/l-response-qldc-direct-referral-july-2025.pdf

Otago Regional Council media release regarding QLDC direct referral request: https://www.orc.govt.nz/your-council/latest-news/news/2025/july/featured-qldc-s-shotover-consent-applications-going-direct-to-environment-court/

Record of Decision for Direct Referral: https://www.qldc.govt.nz/media/jfvf2wm4/qldc_shotover-wwtp_record-of-decision-for-direct-referral_jun25.pdf

Letter to Otago Regional Council Requesting Direct Referral (Form 7a): https://www.qldc.govt.nz/media/e4od1zep/letter-to-orc-requesting-direct-referral-form-7a-_jun25.pdf

Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant monitoring data: https://www.qldc.govt.nz/services/water-services/wastewater/#monitoring