Project Shotover consents notified

A project to move the disposal of wastewater from the Shotover River to a new land disposal scheme has taken a significant step forward. 

The Queenstown Lakes District Council’s ‘Project Shotover’ ten applications - for discharge and land and water consents - have been notified for public submission by the Otago Regional Council.

“The applications deal with renewing our current consents together with the consents required for the move to disposal to land,” Queenstown Lakes District Council Utilities Committee Chairman Councillor John Mann.

The notification was the culmination of a lot of work on the part of QLDC.

“We have been through a lengthy process of identifying the various options open to us, assessing the future needs of the Wakatipu, given the continuing growth, and fully investigating the Shotover Delta disposal to land option,” Mr Mann said.

The application includes a detailed assessment of environmental effects.

Early estimated cost considered by the council in December indicated a figure of $37 million. This figure could be subject to change through detailed design work, yet to be undertaken.

“At the end of the day, the move to disposal to land as opposed to the current practise of disposal of treated water to the Shotover River is totally in line with international environmental best practice and totally befitting one of New Zealand’s iconic tourism destinations,” Mr Mann said.

Project Shotover followed on from the council’s Wanaka disposal to land scheme Project Pure, which is currently under construction and due to be commissioned in 2009.

Submissions on the Project Shotover consents would close at 5pm, Friday 29 August.

A link to the consents notice on the ORC website can be found on the home page of the QLDC website www.qldc.govt.nz