In a letter addressed to Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Glyn Lewers last month, Friends of Bullock Creek (FOBC) had provided the council with a list of measures they could implement to minimise the impact of "a further seven years of stormwater contamination" on Bullock Creek.
The group had been acting in response to the council’s decision to delay a $6 million stormwater management project until 2030, which it argued would have a direct, detrimental impact on the quality of the creek’s water.
Such short-term measures included an immediate stop to further urban growth south of the headwaters of Bullock Creek, stricter rules around stormwater mitigation measures on new developments, and a council campaign aimed at discouraging the washing of cars on driveways and streets.
FOBC received a written response from council chief executive Mike Theelen last week, which ruled out stopping urban growth as the area had "already been zoned for development".
"Every effort is being made to ensure that stormwater systems that service any new development appropriately mitigate adverse effects associated with both the quantity and quality of the runoff," Mr Theelen wrote.
Mr Theelen explained that the council already had an "ongoing educational campaign" aimed at reducing stormwater drain pollution, and that the council’s Land Development and Subdivision Code of Practice was currently under review.
"I can say that council is also disappointed that, due to the funding constraints it is facing, it has been necessary to defer many projects further out into the Ten Year Plan (TYP) than it would ideally like," he wrote.
FOBC committee member Nancy Latham said the council’s response had done nothing to reassure the group that appropriate action would be taken to protect Bullock Creek.
"We ... are extremely disappointed with QLDC’s lack of urgent and substantive commitment to protecting our freshwater bodies in the Roy’s Bay catchment," she said.
FOBC will discuss the council’s response at their next meeting, where they will also consider additional actions they can take to spread awareness about the issue.
In August last year, the Otago Regional Council (ORC) issued the QLDC with an abatement notice to cease discharge of stormwater causing flooding of land belonging to Otago Fish & Game and a noticeable change in colour and visual clarity of the water in Bullock Creek.
On April 27 of this year, the ORC issued the QLDC with an infringement notice related to the same issue. This carried a fine of $750.
ORC manager compliance Tami Sargeant said while they had not determined what enforcement action would be taken against the QLDC, the ORC would continue to monitor Bullock Creek for any non-compliant stormwater discharge.
"ORC encourages the community to contact the ORC pollution hotline on 0800 800-033 if they see sediment of pollution in Otago waterways or lakes."
