Latest news with #QLDC
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Effluent issue unresolved
The Shotover wastewater treatment plant has now discharged the equivalent of about 400 Olympic-sized swimming pools of effluent into the Shotover River and the consideration of its effects has yet to be assessed. The Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) applied for retrospective resource consent from the Otago Regional Council (ORC) for its emergency measures, but the application has yet to be notified and no hearing date has been set. When the QLDC began its "short-term solution" on March 31 it said it was discharging about 12,000cum of wastewater a day, or the equivalent of just under five Olympic-sized swimming pools. That was 81 days ago. The ORC has said under the Resource Management Act its staff need to confirm the application is complete, decide if further information is needed and make a formal notification decision, despite the QLDC's request the application be publicly notified. Regular sampling is done so any impacts on the Shotover and Kawarau Rivers can be monitored and the data is publicly available. But the ORC website confirms "questions have been raised about the impact of the discharge on the Shotover and Kawarau Rivers and what role dilution plays". "Any decision on if this discharge is appropriate and on effects moving forward will be assessed through any consents and compliance processes." University of Otago freshwater scientist Associate Prof Marc Schallenberg said the issues raised were interesting, but warned as well the discharge was "risky business". "This is a very interesting topic," Prof Schallenberg said. "One of the reasons it is interesting is that almost nothing is known about the ecological health of large rivers like the Kawarau. "Because it is so difficult to sample large and fast-flowing rivers, we know very little about them." Typically, assessments were based on water quality without any understanding about the effects on periphyton, invertebrates, or fish. In a river such as the Kawarau, it seemed these ecological components were of little perceived value due to the nature of the river. "However, in terms of downstream drinking water use and recreation, the water quality (especially faecal contamination, pharmaceuticals, etc) is quite important." He said the issue was outside his personal area of expertise, but he supposed the mixing, or dilution, that was happening in the river would be quite rapid and thorough not far downstream from the Shotover confluence. "I guess that by the time it gets to AJ Hackett [Bungy Centre], the sewage will be quite diluted. "But the final concentration of contaminants will depend on the concentrations in the effluent and the amount of water available for dilution. "It's all a messy, risky business where there are downstream users."
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Climate
- Otago Daily Times
'Just too icy': Dunedin drivers slide into strife
Police are advising caution after receiving "multiple reports" involving icy roads in Dunedin this morning. At least three cars were involved in a crash near the intersection of London St and Heriot Row this morning. One appeared to have crashed through the fence of a neighbouring property. Iraklis Papadopoulos said he was on his way to work when his motorcycle "completely slipped on the road" at the intersection. Icy conditions on Heriot Row, in central Dunedin, caused a number of minor crashes this morning. Photo: Supplied/Gregory Easton "It was just too icy, I suppose." "My bike definitely won't start and it makes a weird noise when I try to get the ignition going." The route was the same one he always took to work. In four years, this was the first time he had encountered problems with ice, he said. "It's just kind of unlucky, I just wasn't expecting it." At the intersection of Cosy Dell Rd and Queen St, pedestrians and motorists were also seen attempting to avoid slipping on a large patch of ice. Southern District police advised motorists to be aware of the cold and icy conditions, and to take caution when out and about on roads. "Police have received multiple reports around the district due to ice on the roads, especially in the Dunedin area near Heriot Row and London St. "Please limit yourself to essential travel only and allow for extra time on your journey. "Reducing speed, using headlights and windscreen wipers, and watching your visibility will also ensure a safe trip." It is a slippery start for many Southerners this morning after temperatures plummeted well into the negatives overnight. At 7am, Mosgiel was sitting at a frigid -5degC, though MetService claimed it felt -7. Becks topped the teeth-chattering charts with -8, Lindis Valley got to -7 and Arrowtown was at -6. NZTA Waka Kotahi and local councils have urged caution on roads in Central Otago and the Queenstown/Lakes areas due to the icy conditions. Cautions are in place on SH6 between Gibbston and Kingston, and from Wānaka to Haast Pass. Icy conditions are also expected on SH8 between Tarras and Omarama, and on SH85 between Ranfurly and Alexandra. No specific warnings are in place for Dunedin drivers but ice remains likely around the city. QLDC said there were reports of thick fog in many places, as well as ice. Grit had been applied on Malaghans Rd, Littles Rd, and Dalefield Rd in Queenstown. Particular caution has been urged for those in Fernhill. There have been no reports of accidents on Southern roads due to the conditions this morning but police urged drivers to take extra care and increase their following distances.
Scoop
5 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Community Encouraged To Feedback On Plan To Guide Development In Te Tapuae Southern Corridor
The community is being asked to get involved in a draft Structure Plan for Te Tapuae Southern Corridor, which aims to guide how land around Hanley's Farm, Jack's Point, and Homestead Bay will grow to ensure it remains a highly desirable place where people can live, work, play, and visit. Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) General Manager Strategy & Policy Michelle Morss, said given the area could support up to a total of 9,300 houses by 2050 and its population was already growing rapidly, it was important Council prepared for current and future needs of the community. 'We've seen Te Tapuae Southern Corridor's population increase by 260% in the last five years alone, and we're expecting that growth to continue regardless of whether we've planned for it or not,' said Ms Morss. 'That's why it's important we have a strategy in place to ensure neighbourhoods across the entire corridor are designed in the best possible way for our communities. That means identifying where homes, shops, and parks go, how people get around, and where services are placed and staged in future.' Created through a carefully considered process and informed by technical assessments, public feedback, and targeted stakeholder engagement, the draft Structure Plan for Te Tapuae Southern Corridor proposes a range of ways to address key challenges and opportunities in the area. These include measures to provide better transport options in the area, more housing choice, supporting three waters infrastructure, stronger community facilities (like new schools, healthcare options, and reserves), and shops and local business opportunities. Some of those measures would lead to things like more frequent bus services and increased active travel routes, a mixture of low, medium, and high-density housing, a new primary school, more parks and sports fields, and a new town centre at Jack's Point Village. The draft Structure Plan looks 30 years into the future and accounts for what already exists in the area and what could limit development in the future, then explores how different housing and densities would impact the need for infrastructure in Te Tapuae Southern Corridor. Ms Morss added that development in the area would have a wide range of implications if it wasn't managed carefully, with increasing congestion on the roading network already evident as residents leave the area to access basic services, community facilities, and work and education. 'I would like to encourage everyone to read through the draft Structure Plan, share your feedback, and ensure future development in the area meets the needs of the community and protects what makes this place special,' said Ms Morss. The draft Structure Plan for Te Tapuae Southern Corridor, supporting information, and details on how to share feedback are all available online at Summaries of the proposal are available at QLDC's office at 10 Gorge Road in Queenstown. Those interested are also invited to drop into community engagement sessions being hosted in the area next week, where Council staff will share more information about the draft plan, answer questions, and take feedback from those who prefer to share it in person. The sessions are being run on Tuesday 24 June from 2.00pm to 4.00pm at Te Kura Whakatipu o Kawarau's school hall, and on Wednesday 25 June from 6.00pm to 8.00pm at Jack's Point Golf Course Clubhouse. Attendees are invited to pop in at any time for a chat. The Structure Plan for Te Tapuae Southern Corridor does not change zoning, but will set the direction for future development in the area. Once feedback has been incorporated into a final plan, Council will then consider it for formal adoption in September 2025. If adopted, separate plan changes or variations to the District Plan would be required to implement the Structure Plan.
RNZ News
13-06-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Progress made to fix Shotover wastewater treatment plant issues, Queenstown Lakes District Council says
Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant in Queenstown. Photo: Supplied / Queenstown Lakes District Council The Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) says it's already made progress in fixing issues with its troubled Shotover wastewater treatment plant, and is ahead of plans to significantly upgrade the plant by the end of the year. It comes after the Environment Court imposed a number of conditions on the plant to address negative effects on the environment. The decision, released on Monday, outlined seven pages of separate enforcement orders, including upgrades, contingency measures, timeframes and milestones to be met. It was released after mediation between QLDC, Queenstown Airport Corporation and Otago Regional Council. QLDC general manager of property and infrastructure Tony Avery said the orders largely reflected activities and investments the council had already identified and committed to. "We're ahead of our programme to significantly upgrade the wastewater treatment plant by the end of this year, which will introduce a second treatment reactor and a range of supporting infrastructure to further improve the quality of treated water discharged from the facility and cater for our growing district." He said the results of ongoing testing of the treated wastewater since direct discharge began remained well within consented limits. The Environment Court's requirements relate to the operation, maintenance and upgrading of the facility, and include but are not limited to: The decision also requires QLDC to submit a consent application for a new disposal system by May 2026, and to implement that system by December 2030. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
13-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
QLDC Responds To Environment Court Decision On Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant
The Environment Court has released its decision to approve the application for an Enforcement Order over the Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), following mediation between Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC), Queenstown Airport Corporation (QAC), and Otago Regional Council (ORC). QLDC General Manager Property & Infrastructure, Tony Avery accepted the Environment Court's ruling and was pleased to share that Council was already making progress against the orders. 'We're ahead of our programme to significantly upgrade the WWTP by the end of this year, which will introduce a second treatment reactor and a range of supporting infrastructure to further improve the quality of treated water discharged from the facility and cater for our growing district,' said Mr Avery. 'The Orders largely reflect activities and investments that Council has already identified and committed to, which is a positive outcome and positions us well to deliver on these obligations on behalf of the community.' The Environment Court decision includes a range of requirements to avoid, remedy, and/or mitigate adverse effects on the environment caused by the operation of the Shotover WWTP, which must be actioned by specific dates. These requirements relate to the operation, maintenance and upgrading of the facility, and include but are not limited to: enhancements to the facility's Operations and Maintenance (O&M) manual, sampling and monitoring regime, and operator training procedures; completion of upgrade works already underway at the facility by 31 December 2025; and decommissioning the facility's remaining oxidation ponds by 31 December 2027. The decision also requires QLDC to submit a consent application for a new disposal system by May 2026, and to implement that system by December 2030. The Environment Court's decision is separate to Council's retrospective consent sought in early May 2025 for emergency works at the WWTP, and the bypassing of the facility's disposal field to discharge treated wastewater into Shotover River. This application remains with ORC for assessment. Mr Avery confirmed that the results of ongoing testing of the treated wastewater since direct discharge began remain well within consented limits and are publicly available on the Council's website. The decision made by the Environment Court also declined Aotearoa Water Action Inc's (AWA's) application to join the enforcement proceedings out of time. The Court agreed with QLDC, and the parties, that granting the waiver would have been highly prejudicial to QLDC, ORC and QAC given the work undertaken through mediation to finalise the Enforcement Orders, and also, the Court found that AWA did not have an interest in the matter greater than the public generally.
