There are currently two application processes underway associated with the Shotover River Waste Water Treatment Plant. One is for the short-term disposal of treated wastewater from the WWTP to the Kimi-ākau/Shotover River and the other is for the long-term disposal of treated wastewater from the WWTP to the Kawarau River.

The consents being applied for under this application are intended to enable the eventual transition of the WWTP disposal infrastructure from the consented but failed dose and drain field disposal system, and the short-term Kimi-ākau/Shotover River emergency discharge, to a permanent, fit-for-purpose discharge system.

The activities for which consent is sought are: 

• Section 15 RMA - The discharge of treated wastewater into water and onto or into land where it may enter water, and the discharge of odour into air; and 
• Section 13 RMA – Works to install and maintain an outfall structure and/or pipe in the bed of the river. 
• Section 14 RMA – The taking of groundwater for dewatering during construction.

Now that the application has been accepted we will move into the next stage which includes assessing whether we need any further information from the applicant and undertaking any necessary technical audits of the information provided. The flow chart below shows the process under the RMA for a consent application and where this application is at:

QLDC has requested that the application be publicly notified. This will happen after any further information is requested and/or supplied.

The consents being applied for under this application are in relation to the discharge of treated effluent to the Kimi-ākau/Shotover River through the historic discharge channel which commenced under Emergency Works on 31 March 2026.

This application relates to the necessary resource consents required in respect of the continued adverse effects of the activity.

The activities for which consent is sought are:

• Section 15 RMA - The discharge of treated effluent into water and onto or into land where it may enter water; and 
• Section 13 RMA – Works to install a riprap outfall structure in the bed of the river. 
• Variation of consent conditions of RM13.215.01 for discharge to air

This section outlines key documents related to Queenstown Lakes District Council's (QLDC) request for the Otago Regional Council (ORC) to directly refer a resource consent application to the Environment Court. 

A direct referral means that, instead of going through the standard council hearings process, the application will be assessed and decided by the Environment Court. Under this process Council will still be processing the application and making a notification decision, but the final decision on the application will be made by the Court.

Below, you’ll find documents that explain the basis for this request and decision.