Latest news with #QueenstownLakesDistrictCouncil
Scoop
4 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
9 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
10 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.
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.
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Duo seeking space for natural burials
Two Wānaka women are continuing their efforts to bring more sustainability to burials, using methods such as removing the casket and wrapping a loved one's body. The common method of embalming for burial can often have a negative impact on the environment, including leached chemicals into the ground. Liz Maluschnig and Su Hoskin opened the Death Cafe in Wānaka to help give people the opportunity to talk and reach out for support when they are grieving. They then took this a step further and encouraged individuals to think about when the time came, would they be leaving the world in an environmentally friendly way. Two years ago, they formed the group Wānaka Natural Burials to try to work with the Queenstown Lakes District Council on setting up a natural burial ground in Wānaka. A natural burial ground would include bodies being in non-toxic containers and having shallow graves, to encourage a more natural decomposition process. The group no longer exists but the women continue to work with the council as they look to have a space for natural burials. Parks officer Tarsy Koentges said if a natural burial area were to be created, it would be at the Hawea Cemetery, as the council had recently completed a site suitability report for the location. Both Ms Maluschnig and Ms Hoskin saw embalming — and certain methods of preserving a deceased body — as being harmful to the environment. Embalming involves the use of chemicals to delay the decomposition of a body and research shows these chemicals can leach into the soil and result in ecological harm. Ms Hoskin said our bodies continued to have nutrients after we died, which could be given back to the earth through alternative methods such as burial shrouds — where the body was wrapped in biodegradable material. "Just being connected with the earth and understanding that the earth takes care of us and we need to return that at the end of our lives." The pair are looking at ways to lower the cost of funerals and to speak more openly about death and the grief that comes with it. One of the first steps to putting this vision in motion is a Death Without Debt workshop in Wānaka early next month. The workshops are held nationwide by the Death Without Debt organisation and they are a wealth of knowledge on how to reduce the cost of funerals. The workshop will cover end-of-life planning, ecological methods of burial, community initiatives and reducing funeral costs. "I think the response is actually quite positive because there's such an outcry at the moment about the high cost of funerals," Ms Maluschnig said. In a simpler, more traditional time, funerals were a family effort, making them less of a financial burden and more fulfilling to the grieving process. Years ago, the deceased's family would help with the cleaning of the body, building the coffin and preparing the meals. Standard practice now is hiring a funeral director to take on all of the duties. "I think bringing people back to what we traditionally did is quite empowering," she said. "There was a much more community-driven way of doing death and it was so much more healing." Ms Maluschnig recalled her own mother-in-law's funeral not long ago, where her husband had built the coffin and she had helped prepare the room for the service. The overall purpose of the initiatives and workshops that Ms Hoskin and Ms Maluschnig are putting in motion is to normalise conversations around death and, by doing so, remove the fear associated with it.
