Latest news with #QLDC
Scoop
11 hours ago
- Business
- Scoop
Fresh Drinking Water Upgrades Flow Into Queenstown, Fernhill, And Sunshine Bay
Installation of a permanent UV treatment plant at the Two Mile Water intake just down from Fernhill is complete, further upgrading the drinking water supplied to Queenstown, Fernhill, and Sunshine Bay residents. Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) General Manager Property & Infrastructure, Tony Avery said the new solution meant drinking water in the area would remain fresh, safe, and fully compliant with the latest regulatory standards. 'We're fortunate to have high quality drinking water sources in our district but treatment is still required to ensure water supplied to homes and businesses is safe at all times,' said Mr Avery. 'Permanent treatment equipment operating at the Two Mile intake means we can continue treating this water to a high standard, and redeploy the temporary solution installed at the Fernhill reservoir in 2023 elsewhere in the district.' While installing the new UV treatment facility down by the shores of Lake Whakatipu, crews also constructed additional building space to house future pre-UV filtration equipment, as planned for in QLDC's Long Term Plan 2024-2034. A date is yet to be confirmed for the pre-UV filtration, but once operating, it is expected to further improve drinking water supplies in the area by removing lake algae (Lindavia Intermedia) from the water supply while protecting the new UV treatment equipment in the process. Mr Avery added most water sources in the district are treated through a combination of ultraviolet (UV) disinfection and chlorination, and that Council has been busy working to ensure its remaining treatment plants achieved compliance with Taumata Arowai's standards (Drinking Water Quality Assurance Rules 2022). 'Completion of the new solution at Two Mile is just one of many projects we have been progressing to safeguard drinking water quality across the district. Upgrades were recently completed for Glenorchy and multiple Wānaka sites, and we'll be kicking off upgrades for Luggate's water source later this year,' said Mr Avery. Work at the Two Mile water intake was carried out by Fulton Hogan, with assistance from Veolia and Filtec.
Scoop
15 hours ago
- General
- Scoop
A Plan To Restore Biodiversity On Te Tapunui Queenstown Hill
Press Release – Queenstown Lakes District Council QLDC General Manager Community & Services Ken Bailey said that its important to understand if the community support the proposed plan for this well-loved reserve, which is part of a wider plan to protect our districts landscapes and native biodiversity. Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is encouraging the community to share their thoughts on a draft Forestry Management Plan (FMP) for Te Tapunui Queenstown Hill Reserve which is now open for consultation. The draft plan proposes to remove all wilding tree species on the reserve and replant the site with a mixed native/exotic forest and scrub/tussock grassland. QLDC General Manager Community & Services Ken Bailey said that it's important to understand if the community support the proposed plan for this well-loved reserve, which is part of a wider plan to protect our district's landscapes and native biodiversity. 'The draft FMP guides the staged removal of invasive wilding trees and supports the restoration of a healthy, diverse forest. It assesses the current tree cover and site conditions, and outlines options for harvesting wilding trees and the new plants that will replace them,' said Mr Bailey. 'The forestry plan developed in 2006 for Ben Lomond and Queenstown Hill is now outdated and no longer fit-for-purpose, so the Parks team have prepared a new plan which applies solely to Te Tapunui Queenstown Hill.' Te Tapunui Queenstown Hill Reserve has become progressively dominated by wilding conifers over the past 60+ years. These trees are an invasive pest species, acting as a seed source and facilitating their spread elsewhere in the Whakatipu basin. Parks Planning Manager Briana Pringle said that if left uncontrolled, wilding conifers impact the surrounding environment through loss of biodiversity, degradation of soil quality, increased risk of seed spread, changes to landscape, and increased risk of wildfire. 'The draft plan proposes a staged replanting programme in three zones comprising of native trees, mixed native and exotic trees, and grey tussock and shrubland species,' said Ms Pringle. 'Restoring the central area of the reserve with a mixture of native and exotic species will enhance ecological diversity and ensure that much of the aesthetic is retained. Planting non-invasive exotics like redwood, cedar, elm and ash will ensure that canopy cover is achieved more quickly, which in turn will minimise the risk of erosion and land instability,' she said. The removal of wilding conifers and the replanting on reserve land will affect recreational experiences, trails, the visual landscape, neighbouring properties, and natural hazards; all while reducing wildfire risk and enhancing biodiversity. 'While there's no funding currently in the QLDC Long Term Plan (LTP) 2024-2034 to implement the draft FMP, it's important that we have an agreed plan in place that reflects the community's long-term vision and takes into account the impacts of the proposed harvest and replanting of the site, said,' Mr Bailey. 'Ultimately the draft plan aims to help restore biodiversity and ecology in the Whakatipu basin, enhance how people use this space, and ensure it flourishes for future generations to enjoy. This aligns strongly with Council's commitment in its draft Climate and Biodiversity Plan 2025-2028', he said. The draft Te Tapunui Queenstown Hill FMP, a range of supporting material and a submission form are available to view online at and in person at QLDC's offices and library at 10 Gorge Road. QLDC's Parks team will also be hosting three community drop-in sessions in June in Queenstown and Frankton for those keen to discuss the draft plan. Submissions close on Sunday 6 July. Once they've been collated and reviewed and people have had the opportunity to speak at a public hearing on 21 July, all submissions will be considered by the hearing panel and used to make final changes to the draft FMP. This will then be presented to Full Council for adoption on 4 September.
Scoop
17 hours ago
- General
- Scoop
A Plan To Restore Biodiversity On Te Tapunui Queenstown Hill
Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is encouraging the community to share their thoughts on a draft Forestry Management Plan (FMP) for Te Tapunui Queenstown Hill Reserve which is now open for consultation. The draft plan proposes to remove all wilding tree species on the reserve and replant the site with a mixed native/exotic forest and scrub/tussock grassland. QLDC General Manager Community & Services Ken Bailey said that it's important to understand if the community support the proposed plan for this well-loved reserve, which is part of a wider plan to protect our district's landscapes and native biodiversity. 'The draft FMP guides the staged removal of invasive wilding trees and supports the restoration of a healthy, diverse forest. It assesses the current tree cover and site conditions, and outlines options for harvesting wilding trees and the new plants that will replace them,' said Mr Bailey. 'The forestry plan developed in 2006 for Ben Lomond and Queenstown Hill is now outdated and no longer fit-for-purpose, so the Parks team have prepared a new plan which applies solely to Te Tapunui Queenstown Hill.' Te Tapunui Queenstown Hill Reserve has become progressively dominated by wilding conifers over the past 60+ years. These trees are an invasive pest species, acting as a seed source and facilitating their spread elsewhere in the Whakatipu basin. Parks Planning Manager Briana Pringle said that if left uncontrolled, wilding conifers impact the surrounding environment through loss of biodiversity, degradation of soil quality, increased risk of seed spread, changes to landscape, and increased risk of wildfire. "The draft plan proposes a staged replanting programme in three zones comprising of native trees, mixed native and exotic trees, and grey tussock and shrubland species,' said Ms Pringle. 'Restoring the central area of the reserve with a mixture of native and exotic species will enhance ecological diversity and ensure that much of the aesthetic is retained. Planting non-invasive exotics like redwood, cedar, elm and ash will ensure that canopy cover is achieved more quickly, which in turn will minimise the risk of erosion and land instability,' she said. The removal of wilding conifers and the replanting on reserve land will affect recreational experiences, trails, the visual landscape, neighbouring properties, and natural hazards; all while reducing wildfire risk and enhancing biodiversity. 'While there's no funding currently in the QLDC Long Term Plan (LTP) 2024-2034 to implement the draft FMP, it's important that we have an agreed plan in place that reflects the community's long-term vision and takes into account the impacts of the proposed harvest and replanting of the site, said,' Mr Bailey. 'Ultimately the draft plan aims to help restore biodiversity and ecology in the Whakatipu basin, enhance how people use this space, and ensure it flourishes for future generations to enjoy. This aligns strongly with Council's commitment in its draft Climate and Biodiversity Plan 2025-2028', he said. The draft Te Tapunui Queenstown Hill FMP, a range of supporting material and a submission form are available to view online at and in person at QLDC's offices and library at 10 Gorge Road. QLDC's Parks team will also be hosting three community drop-in sessions in June in Queenstown and Frankton for those keen to discuss the draft plan. Submissions close on Sunday 6 July. Once they've been collated and reviewed and people have had the opportunity to speak at a public hearing on 21 July, all submissions will be considered by the hearing panel and used to make final changes to the draft FMP. This will then be presented to Full Council for adoption on 4 September.
Scoop
2 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Consultation Underway On Proposed Model For Future Delivery Of Water Services
Press Release – Queenstown Lakes District Council QLDC Property & Infrastructure General Manager, Tony Avery said Council had carefully assessed a range of different models available, as part of central governments Local Water Done Well plan to address Aotearoa New Zealands water infrastructure … Consultation on Queenstown Lakes District Council's (QLDC) proposal to establish a Water Services Council Controlled Organisation (WSCCO) for the future delivery of water services in the district is now underway, as required by the Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Act 2024 (WSPA Act). The proposal is to establish a Council Controlled Organisation specifically created to manage and deliver drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services in the future. QLDC Property & Infrastructure General Manager, Tony Avery said Council had carefully assessed a range of different models available, as part of central government's Local Water Done Well plan to address Aotearoa New Zealand's water infrastructure challenges. 'As previously shared, we wanted to ensure the model put before the public considered financial implications for consumers amongst several other factors, given the QLDC Long Term Plan (LTP) 2024-2034 is already projecting costs to increase significantly,' said Mr Avery. 'We're now encouraging residents of the Queenstown Lakes District to get involved, carefully read through the consultation document and assessments we've undertaken on the matter, and give us feedback.' The proposed WSCCO would be fully owned by QLDC, but the organisation would be governed by its own independent specialist board and management. QLDC would be the only shareholder and would appoint board members based on the skills and experience needed for proper governance of the new organisation. Intended legislation by central government would prevent any WSCCO from being privatised which means that the proposed WSCCO would remain wholly owned by QLDC, and the organisation would not be able to pay a dividend. Council would set the organisation's strategic priorities and establish measures to ensure it performs to expectations, while the Commerce Commission would use various regulatory tools to ensure water charges are fair, cost-reflective, and transparent. The other shortlisted option evaluated was for QLDC to continue to deliver water services in-house, recognising that changes would need to be made to enable Council to respond to the new regulatory environment if such a model was progressed with. An in-house model would be similarly subject to the Commerce Commission regulatory requirements. In addition to cost to households, the WSCCO and the in-house model were assessed on their ability to attract and retain staff, adapt to changing requirements, maximise value and minimise waste, effectively and efficiently manage water services, and deliver to community priorities. Mr Avery said public feedback was imperative to informing Council's decision on the best option to deliver high quality, resilient, sustainable, and reliable water services in the future. 'Drinking water, stormwater, and wastewater services all cost the ratepayer a significant amount of money, and under all scenarios, including in Council's current Long-Term Plan, water charges are projected to increase substantially,' said Mr Avery. 'I would urge all residents to take the time to understand Council's proposal and the alternative, what this would mean for the future, and to have a say before feedback closes on Sunday 29 June 2025.' A detailed consultation document on QLDC's proposed future water services delivery model and a feedback form are available online at QLDC Councillors agreed to consultation on the proposal to establish a WSCCO at the Full Council meeting on Thursday 29 May 2025.
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Views sought on future of airstrip
How the Glenorchy airstrip operates is about to come under the spotlight. The Queenstown Lakes District Council is consulting on a draft Glenorchy Airstrip Reserve Management Plan 2025 which outlines how the council will manage the airstrip on behalf of users and the Glenorchy community. The council's principal parks planner Jeannie Galavazi urged anyone with an interest in local aviation, airstrip users and the wider community, especially those based in the Glenorchy area, to read the plan and share their views in a submission. ''The existing plan was adopted in 2016. Since this time, QLDC has worked alongside the community and local operators to implement new management processes and make improvements at the airstrip,'' she said in a statement. ''We now need a more future focused plan that is aligned with the Resource Management Act noise contour that became operative in 2021 and the community's long-term needs,'' Mrs Galavazi said. The draft plan has been guided by initial feedback from the Glenorchy community and stakeholders, including commercial operators and others in the aviation industry. The airstrip was established in 1953 to service the Glenorchy area. Significant community consultation on the use of the airstrip has occurred since the land was vested in the district council. Commercial use is controlled through leases and licences. There is only one commercial lease in place at the reserve, held by Action Helicopters for two helipads and associated storage containers. Action Helicopters is the only operator that uses the airstrip and the Glenorchy township as a permanent base, and it accounts for approximately 67% of the total annual aircraft movements. A commercial skydiving operator was previously based at the airstrip but has since relocated and now only does the occasional training flight. Commercial skydiving is not supported by the majority of the Glenorchy community. Noise generated from skydiving was particularly annoying as planes fly right over the township and out to Blanket Bay, the draft plan says. The maximum limit set for aircraft movements is 5400 movements or 2200 flights. In 2024 there were 2662 movements (1331 flights) with commercial operators, including itinerant operators, accounting for about 95% of the total flights. Funding and user charges, carbon and noise emissions and governance are among the policies included in the draft. Submissions on the draft plan close on August 8, with hearings set for later in the month.
