Two resource consent applications – which will appear in published Public Notices tomorrow (20th) - have been made to the Otago Regional Council by Queenstown Lakes District Council for discharge of wastewater from the Shotover Wastewater Treatment plant to the Shotover River/Kimiākau and to establish and maintain an outfall structure and diversion channel in the Shotover River/Kimiākau near  Queenstown.

ORC’s Manager Consents Alexandra King acknowledges the high degree of public interest in the application.

“Council is committed to processing these applications in line with the Resource Management Act and public notification is the next step in this process,” she says.

QLDC had requested one application be publicly notified and the other will also be notified for special circumstances; with submissions opening for an extended period of six weeks from today (20th) until 1 November.

“Due to the high level of public interest the submission period has been extended from the normal four weeks to six weeks,” Ms King says.

There is no timeline on a when a decision will be made, as the Environment Court will be the decision-maker on the applications. (*see note below)

Ms King says the consent types applied for cover discharge and water permits and land use consents.

The first application, RM25.206, is for disposal of treated wastewater to water from the Shotover wastewater treatment plant and to construct a riprap outfall structure in the bed of the Shotover River/Kimiākau.

The second application, RM25.177, is to construct and operate a diversion channel within the bed of the Shotover River/Kimiākau to ensure the discharge of treated wastewater sought (to be authorised under RM25.206 above) is always to flowing water.

There will be formal Public Notices published tomorrow 20 September outlining the application process.

Physical site notices will also be placed near the plant shortly.

*On 11 July QLDC’s request for its resource consent applications (RM25.206 and RM25.177) to discharge treated wastewater to Shotover River were directly referred to the Environment Court, after approval was granted by ORC.

This means while ORC will continue to process the consent, seek public submissions, and provide an assessment of the application and a report, the matter will be referred to the Environment Court to act as the decision-maker.

Original 11 July release on referral to Environment Court: https://www.orc.govt.nz/your-council/latest-news/news/2025/july/qldc-s-shotover-consent-applications-going-direct-to-environment-court/

Further details of the applications and how to make submissions can be found at www.orc.govt.nz/consents/current-notified-applications

Anyone making a submission needs to follow the format set out and send it to the Consents Team and the Applicant.

Enquiries can also made to ORC on 0800 474 082 or at submissions@orc.govt.nz

Questions about operational matters at the Shotover site, should be referred to QLDC.