A Fair Hearing for the Shotover River

In March 2025, Queenstown Lakes District Council began discharging treated wastewater directly into the Shotover River under emergency powers. That decision is now before the Environment Court.

Queenstown Lakes Community Action (QLCA) is a volunteer-led community group representing local interests in this case. We led the protest when the discharge began and are now continuing that work through the Court process.

The Environment Court is now considering retrospective consent for that discharge, along with the risks, safeguards, and long-term implications. Environment Court decisions rely heavily on expert evidence. Without independent, credible experts, community groups can struggle to be on equal footing with well-resourced councils.

We are participating to contribute independent freshwater ecological evidence, alongside the important cultural perspectives being presented by rūnanga, and to ensure community voices are part of the process. To do this, we need to raise funds to bring that expertise before the Court. Funds will be used for independent freshwater ecology expertise and legal support.

This is about making sure decisions that affect our river are informed by a complete and balanced body of evidence.

Any contribution, big or small, will make a real difference. Thankyou!