Queenstown Shotover River wastewater discharge

The story so far

The Queenstown Lakes District Council planned to use emergency powers to pump 12,000 cubic metres of treated wastewater daily into the Shotover River.^{26, 27 Mar 2025} About 50 people protested at a wastewater plant against the plan, and the water protection group Aotearoa Water Action considered seeking an injunction to stop the discharge.^{26, 27 Mar 2025} Councillor Niki Gladding faced possible removal from two committees after a confidential plan was disclosed, and the council was due to vote on whether she breached the code of conduct.^{28 Mar 2025} The council is now removing Gladding from several committees, and she claims it is failing to follow due process.^{31 Mar 2025}

Latest

The council is removing Gladding from several committees, and she says due process is not being followed.^{31 Mar 2025}

What's next

The council was due to vote next Tuesday on the recommendation that Gladding breached the code of conduct.^{28 Mar 2025}

Key moments

1. 26 Mar 2025About 50 people protest at wastewater plant against the Shotover discharge plan
2. 27 Mar 2025Aotearoa Water Action considers seeking an injunction against the discharge
3. 28 Mar 2025Councillor Niki Gladding may lose two committee roles over information leak
4. 31 Mar 2025Council begins discharging treated effluent into the Shotover River
5. 31 Mar 2025Council moves to remove Gladding from committees; she alleges due process failures

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.