A wastewater overflow has entered Lake Whakatipu along part of the Frankton Arm near Goldfield Heights. The issue was resolved within five minutes of the overflow occurring, but warning signage has been erected on the lakefront in the affected area. Water quality testing is underway and signage will be removed once clear results are returned.

National Policy Statements and National Environmental Standards

Under the Resource Management Act, central government is in charge of preparing national policy statements and national environmental standards.

These set out the overarching national policy direction for Councils to deal with resource management issues.  When drafting policy and making resource consent decisions, QLDC must take these into account and follow the direction.

National Environmental Standards set out prescribed technical standards, methods or other requirements for environmental matters. Every Council must enforce these standards to enable a consistent approach and decision-making process. The National Environmental Standards, along with the District Plan set out whether resource consent is required or not.

The National Policy Statements and National Environmental Standards can be found on the Ministry for the Environment website: https://environment.govt.nz/acts-and-regulations/national-direction/

Resource consent may be required for a project from QLDC under the requirements of the National Environmental Standards.