Latest news with #RichardSaunders
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Clear direction for Shotover wastewater plant, says ORC
The Shotover wastewater treatment plant. Photo: Stephen Jaquiery A clear indication had been given to what needs to be done to the Shotover wastewater plant, the Otago Regional Council says, after the Environment Court released its decision. The regional council said in a statement it welcomed yesterday's decision from the court, which approved an application for an Enforcement Order over the Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant. In January, the regional council sought an enforcement order from the Environment Court to address current compliance issues at Queenstown Lakes District Council's Shotover treatment plant, which followed the issuing of two abatement notices and 10 infringement notices. 'The decision paves the way to begin a plan of action so QLDC is able meet its consent obligations and achieve compliance against the Court's Orders,' council chief executive Richard Saunders said in a statement. The order gave a clear indication of what was required to operate, remedy and upgrade the wastewater plant, he said. The court said the treatment plant upgrades currently being undertaken, being the installation of a new Modified Ludzak-Ettinger (MLE) plant, clarifier and supporting infrastructure so that the new MLE plant and clarifier are operational, and resource consent RM2008.238 by the end of the year. The respondent must construct a calamity pond for treated wastewater at the treatment plant and to have the calamity pond available for use by the end of 2027. The Enforcement Orders cover off operations and management manual, staff training, sampling and monitoring, repairs and improvements to the wastewater plant, upgrades to the plant and a new Disposal Field solution; the latter requiring a consent application be made for a new disposal system by May 2026, which must be implemented by December 2030.
RNZ News
2 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
Queenstown Lakes District Council must fix issues with Shotover wastewater plant
Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant in Queenstown. Photo: Supplied / Queenstown Lakes District Council The Environment Court has ruled the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) must fix issues with its troubled Shotover wastewater treatment plant. In January, the Otago Regional Council (ORC) sought an enforcement order from the Environment Court to address current compliance issues at the treatment plant. Mediation was the next step in deliberations, and the court released its decision on Monday. It came after two abatement notices and 10 infringement notices were issued since early 2024, many over the discharge of treated wastewater to land on the Shotover Delta . Otago Regional Council chief executive Richard Saunders said the court's enforcement orders would help mitigate adverse environmental effects caused by the plant, and paved the way "to begin a plan of action so QLDC is able to meet its consent obligations and achieve compliance against the court's orders". "The decision and enforcement orders give a clear indication of what's required to operate, remedy and upgrade the wastewater plant, while maintaining transparency with ongoing monitoring of these processes." The decision outlined seven pages of separate enforcement orders, including upgrades, contingency measures, timeframes and milestones to be met. They included an operations and management manual, staff training, sampling and monitoring, repairs and improvements to the wastewater plant, upgrades to the plant and a new disposal field solution. The latter required a consent application be made for a new disposal system by May 2026, which must be implemented by December 2030. Saunders said the regional council had taken several steps since problems arose with the plant's operations, dating back to 2021. He said the council would continue to closely monitor the treatment plant site and undertake its regulatory role. The Environment Court's decision is separate to QLDC making an emergency/retrospective consent application in early May for earlier works at the Shotover site. The emergency works enacted by the district council were to bypass the problematic (soak) disposal field and to discharge treated wastewater directly into the Shotover River. The council was still assessing the application, with a date for public notification yet to be set. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
2 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Environment Court Decision Following ORC Application For Enforcement Order
Following an application for an Enforcement Order over the Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant, the Environment Court released its decision yesterday. The application for the Enforcement Order has been approved by the Environment Court. ORC's Chief Executive Richard Saunders welcomed delivery of the decision and Enforcement Orders, ultimately to 'avoid, remedy and/or mitigate adverse environmental effects' caused by operation of the QLDC-owned Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant. 'The decision paves the way to begin a plan of action so QLDC is able meet its consent obligations and achieve compliance against the Court's Orders,' he says. On 23 January ORC sought an Enforcement Order from the Environment Court to address current compliance issues at QLDC's Shotover treatment plant, which followed the issuing of two abatement notices and 10 infringement notices. (*note below). Environment Court mediation was the next step in deliberations and the Court released its decision yesterday. Mr Saunders highlighted ORC had taken several steps since problems arose with the plant's operations, dating back to 2021. 'The decision and enforcement orders give a clear indication of what's required to operate, remedy and upgrade the wastewater plant, while maintaining transparency with ongoing monitoring of these processes,' Mr Saunders says. The decision outlines 7 pages of seperate enforcement orders, in an Annexure, including upgrades, contingency measures, timeframes and milestones to be met. The Enforment Orders cover off Operations and Management Manual, staff Training, Sampling and Monitoring, Repairs and Improvements to the wastewater plant, Upgrades to the plant and a new Disposal Field solution; the latter requiring a consent application be made for a new disposal system by May 2026, which must be implemented by December 2030. The Environement Court decision also noted parties can apply for further Enforcement Orders, if required. The Decision is now on ORC's website. Mr Saunders noted that the ORC continues to closely monitor the Shotover treatment plant site and continues to undertake its regulatory role. Information on the Shotover treatment plant is available on Council's website: Consent application for discharge Mr Saunders highlighted yesterday's Environment Court's decision is separate to QLDC making an emergency/retrospective consent application for earlier works at the Shotover site. In early-May QLDC made an emergency works application to the ORC, including QLDC having requested public notification; an option available to all applicants under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA). The QLDC application is for retrospective consent for its emergency works at Shotover River wastewater treatment plant. The emergency works enacted by QLDC were to bypass the problematic (soak) disposal field and to discharge treated wastewater directly into the Shotover river. ORC is still assessing the application and further updates including a date for notification will be provided on the ORC website *Background Two abatement notices are in place and 10 infringements have been issued since the start of 2024. Five of these infringement notices have been issued this year (2025) relating to issues that happened on site towards the end of 2024. All the (5) new notices that have been issued, relate to the alleged discharge of contaminants (namely treated wastewater) to land on the Shotover Delta in circumstances which may result in contaminant (or any other contaminant entering water; namely groundwater), the Shotover River and/or Kawarau River.
Scoop
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Your Face In This Space? Time To Think About Standing In This Year's Local Government Elections
The Otago Regional Council (ORC) is encouraging people to start thinking now about standing in this year's local government election or consider nominating someone else. 'July might seem a long way off, but now's a good time to start thinking about whether you or someone you know might fit the bill,' says ORC's Chief Executive, Richard Saunders. 'People can find out more by heading to our Election 2025 webpage where they can find information about what a regional council does, the role of a councillor, how much they get paid, how many meetings they need to attend and how much reading is required.' 'In the next triennium (3-year term) council will make decisions which support outcomes for our community in environmental management, natural resource management, public transport,preparing for and responding to emergencies and natural disasters as well as the economic, social, cultural, and environmental wellbeing of the region,' Mr Saunders says. 'You can be a key part of that.' 'By standing for election to ORC, you'll be a part of Otago's democracy. Being an elected member of local government can be a rewarding role, as you advocate for your communities and work with our partners to achieve the best outcomes for this region we love.' 'Thinking about standing but not sure how to go about it? We have some good advice online, and our staff are here to help.' 'To be effective you will need to bring a broad range of skills to the role including decision-making and strategic thinking, communication skills and the desire to engage with your community as part of your role, plus relationship-building and collaboration skills.' To be a candidate for an elected member position you need to be: A New Zealand citizen Over 18 years old Enrolled on a New Zealand electoral roll The Otago Regional Council is made up of 12 Councillors elected from four constituencies. After a representation review, this year there are changes to the number of councillors in the Dunedin and Dunstan wards. These constituencies are now Dunedin (with five Councillors), Dunstan (four), Molyneux (two) and Moeraki (one). Also changed this year is the way the region will cast their vote for ORC's elections. This year all of Otago moves to Single Transferrable Vote (STV) for the ORC.
