Wastewater discharge into Shotover River escalated to Environment Court

A Queenstown Lakes District Council application to discharge wastewater into the Shotover River has been escalated to the Environment Court.

The council, which began pumping treated effluent into the river in March, retrospectively applied to Otago Regional Council (ORC) for two resource consents in May.

In June, it requested for the case to be handled by the Environment Court. On Friday, ORC confirmed it had approved the request.

Consents manager Alexandra King said the council agreed, in part, because the applications would still be publicly notified.

"It's a pragmatic decision, and this approach ensures security of the public notification process and the opportunity for public participation is based on having complete and accurate information, and is consistent with the requirements of the RMA," she said.

In its application, QLDC stated direct referral to the Environment Court would save all parties "considerable time and money". It also stated the result was "very likely to be appealed, irrespective of the outcome", regardless of whether the decision was made by ORC or the Environment Court.

As well as seeking consent to discharge wastewater into the river, QLDC applied to dig a channel in the riverbed and divert the Shotover River, so the discharges would reach flowing water.

Earlier, ORC raised several concerns with QLDC's application and asked the council for more information to support its claim the discharge would have "less than minor" impacts.

QLDC originally had until 11 July to respond, but on Friday, ORC said the deadline was extended to 11 August. In the meantime, ORC would continue to monitor the Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Two abatement notices and 10 infringement notices have been issued since early 2024, including some against the discharge of treated wastewater to land on the Shotover Delta.