Retrospective consent regarding wastewater discharge publicly notified

Queenstown Lakes District Council’s (QLDC) resource consent applications to discharge treated wastewater to Shotover River and to establish and maintain a diversion channel have been publicly notified, as of Saturday 20 September 2025.

QLDC previously asked for public notification of the discharge application when it was first submitted to Otago Regional Council (ORC) in May, and the public will now have an opportunity to make submissions on both applications if they wish to do so. 

As part of public notification, those interested will be able to make submissions to ORC on these matters until 5.00pm on Monday 3 November, after which submitters will be able to appear and be heard at a hearing.

QLDC General Manager Property & Infrastructure, Tony Avery said he was pleased with ORC’s progress to date and that the matter was now before the public.

“Kimi-ākau Shotover River is a significant natural resource with considerable cultural and community values, and it’s critical the community has a say on Council’s applications to discharge treated wastewater to this receiving environment, and to use a channel to ensure that discharge is always to flowing water,” said Mr Avery.

“With that discharge already underway and one of the applications requesting retrospective consent to do so, Council continues to closely monitor multiple locations in both Shotover and Kawarau Rivers to ensure we have a full understanding of any effects on the environment.”

Results of the latest river monitoring data, and Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant’s treatment standard managed by a separate resource consent, continue to be available on QLDC’s website.

Further details of the applications and information on how to make submissions are available on ORC’s website. Enquiries can also be made to ORC on 0800 474 082 or at:

submissions@orc.govt.nz

Separate to the two resource consent applications, work continues to determine and implement a new long-term disposal solution for Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant, which is expected to be in operation by the end of 2030.

More information on the new disposal strategy will be shared with the community once options have been assessed and a preferred solution identified, which is expected in early 2026.

The resource consent application to discharge treated effluent to Shotover River was submitted to ORC on Thursday 1 May 2025 and sought retrospective consent for the discharge that commenced on 31 March 2025 under emergency powers, in accordance with s330 of the RMA.

The second application is to construct and operate a diversion channel within the bed of the Kimi-ākau Shotover River to ensure the discharge of treated wastewater sought is always to flowing water.

QLDC requested the application be directly referred to the Environment Court on 27 June, which was granted by ORC on 11 July.

ENDS | KUA MUTU.

Media contact: communications@qldc.govt.nz

Or call 03 441 1802.

FURTHER INFORMATION | Kā pāroko tāpiri:

• ORC application details and submission information.

• Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant monitoring data.