Regulator ORC caves in to Queenstown commercial pressure

The environment is already being harmed, but whichever way you cut it - hundreds of millions of dollars are also at stake.

Analysis.

It’s now clear, after four years of paperwork and zero substantial action, the Otago Regional Council is not going to carry out its duty as our water regulator.

The ORC argues that by issuing two abatement notices and six infringement notices since 2021 to Queenstown’s main sewage plant operator (QLDC) that it is doing its job to protect water quality and public health.

However, the Queenstown Lakes District Council’s behaviour appears not to have changed at all as a result of the ORC’s “enforcement action.”

The plant continues to spiral towards total failure.