Holiday alert: Please note that kerbside collections between 25-27 December and 1-3 January will be pushed out a day (even recyclers need a holiday). For more on Rubbish & Recycling in our district, see our dedicated webpage.

Council offices will close at midday Wednesday 24 December 2025 and reopen 8.00am Monday 5 January 2026. For urgent issues, call us on 03 441 0499 (Queenstown) or 03 443 0024 (Wānaka). For non-urgent issues, please us the Snap Send Solve App. We hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Thursday, 27 November 2025

Legal proceedings concerning Ballantyne Road site before the High Court

The case relates to a claim under the Public Works Act 1981 by the former landowner.

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Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) has confirmed that legal proceedings concerning land at 101 Ballantyne Road, Wānaka, are currently before the High Court.

The case relates to a claim under the Public Works Act 1981 by the former landowner, who claims that Council was obliged to offer the land back following the decommissioning of wastewater treatment facilities.

QLDC disputes this claim and maintains that the land has continuously been required for public use, most recently sports and recreation purposes.

The site at 101 Ballantyne Road has been remediated and re-gazetted for sports and recreation, aligning with Council’s established plans for a community sports hub.

QLDC chief executive Mike Theelen said Council recognises there is a strong public interest in the site’s future as a sports hub, however any planning and investment decisions must be made carefully while proceedings are underway.

“Council has filed its Statement of Defence and engaged specialist legal counsel to assist in defending the claim. The matter will proceed through the usual Court process and therefore no further comment will be made until the proceedings have been concluded,” Mr Theelen said. 

ENDS | KUA MUTU

Media contact

communications@qldc.govt.nz or call 03 441 1802.