The Queenstown Lakes District Council has formally voted to adopt the recommendation of the Project Pure Team to site the Wanaka Basin waste water treatment facility and land disposal fields at the western end of Wanaka Airport.

"For the team, which has been working for two years to investigate the options raised by the initial working party, this decision is a real milestone,"QLDC Wanaka operations manager Chris Hawker said.

The team announced in December, last year, that the Wanaka Airport was the 'preferred site'.

"The final investigation included the consideration of effects on neighbouring properties and effects on airport operations. In both cases we have undertaken consultation," Mr Hawker said.

The location of a compact treatment plant on Council-owned land was in an area already partially screened by a stand of trees and in a position which allowed the greatest mitigation of effects possible. The underground disposal fields would run in parallel with the runway.

"Visually the disposal fields will not be detectable, as the clear odourless treated wastewater will be piped into gravel approximately 1.5 metres underground," Mr Hawker said.

The team was now progressing with the confirmation of the site specifications and preparation of the necessary resource consent application, which it hoped to lodge by September, he said.

ENDS

For further comment please contact Chris Hawker 03 443 8197 or 0274 364 455.

By: Tamah