Reconsenting Lake Hayes water take

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) plans to apply for a new water take consent for the Lake Hayes borefield in mid-2026, to ensure current and future residents in the area continue to have access to safe, clean drinking water.
Three Waters

Project Status

Planned
In Progress
Completed

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About the project

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Protecting Lake Hayes

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Project timeframes

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Contact us

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About the project

The current water take consent from the Lake Hayes borefield at the end of Rutherford Road is set to expire in May 2027, and work is underway to renew this consent to continue providing public drinking water for the community.

Protecting Lake Hayes

Renewing the current consent and increasing the amount of water taken from the bore is not expected to affect Lake Hayes or its water quality, as this water is not taken directly from the lake.

However, work will be undertaken to determine any potential effects as part of this application, and will include the following assessments:

  • Hydrogeology: An assessment of groundwater effects, in particular considering potential effects on neighbouring wells and bores as well as wetlands.
  • Freshwater ecology: An assessment which includes wetland and vegetation mapping and classification, potential effects of the renewed consent and mitigation recommendations.
  • Planning: Strategy development, risk management, and consent preparation.

Project timeframes

January 2026: Community engagement

January – April 2026: Hydrogeology report

January – April 2026: Freshwater ecology report

May 2026: Resource consent application

Contact us

If you would like to share any comments, questions, or concerns you may have about this work, please phone us on 03 441 0499 or email:

services@qldc.govt.nz 

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