Trees will be saved as the result of a minor plan change to the north Wanaka wastewater project.
The project is part of the Queenstown Lakes District Council’s plan to accommodate growth and provide more resilience across the district’s wastewater network.
The stage 1 works now under way will help to upgrade the wastewater system and provide for future connection to a new pump station that will convey waste to the treatment plant.
The original consented route was set to go alongside State Highway 6 and State Highway 84.
But that route would significantly affect a grove of amenity trees opposite Puzzling World. More than 25-30 trees would have to be removed.
The new proposal has been made to minimise the impact of the project on the entrance to the town, by reducing traffic management requirements, dropping the number of trees that need to be felled and avoiding the need to remove and then resurrect the "Welcome to Wanaka" roadside monument.
The alternative route affects 20 trees, most of which are smaller than those on the roadside.
The new route would have replacement pipes being dug in through the car park next to Puzzling World.
The Wanaka Community Board formally approved the required tree removal consent for the new plan at its last board meeting.
