Despite the developer and the council claiming to be doing everything necessary to mitigate dust nuisance from earthworks at Northlake, some residents say they are unable to open their windows or doors in summer, they fear for their health and have to constantly clean dust from their properties.

A resident posted on social media about dust from earthworks at Northlake affecting their day-to-day life on Wednesday (February 24), and the comments section quickly filled from other residents facing the same problem. 

Two others said they had moved out of the development, which one dubbed ‘North-dust’, while others complained about effects on health, quality of life, and property. 

While not unfamiliar with the issue, Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) councillor Niamh Shaw said she was shocked to read how many people were being affected.

“I have heard informal reports about dust nuisance in Northlake over the last two years, but had not realised the numbers of people affected by it,” she said. 

A Northlake resident posted this photograph as evidence of the dust problem. PHOTO: Supplied

A Northlake spokesperson told the Wanaka App extensive measures are in place to prevent dust from exposed earthworks affecting residents.

“Northlake has an obligation to comply with the conditions in its resource consent, and takes this very seriously,” they said.

Northlake has eight sets of K lines (substantial flexi hose sprinklers) controlling stockpiles, a 10,000 litre water cart managing the areas in between, a 10,000 litre water cart managing access and haul routes. 

There’s also a 5,000 litre water cart focused on road construction areas, and a 16,000 litre water carrier in the earthworks area, among other measures.

Northlake also works closely with QLDC staff, who were most recently on-site on Tuesday (February 23) to inspect measures in place to control dust, the representative said.

But Niamh said if people’s lives are being affected by the dust day-to-day, whatever measures in place are not enough.

“The effects of dust nuisance are not being adequately mitigated if neighbouring residents report health issues and having to keep their windows and doors closed during summer,” Niamh said. 

Northlake resident Tiffany Firth, who first posted to Facebook about the dust, agreed: “The fact of the matter is unfortunately there are still giant dust clouds descending over the hill and on to my house.”

QLDC told the Wanaka App all complaints about the issue received by council are investigated before determining if compliance is being adhered to: “If non-compliance is identified, appropriate enforcement action will be undertaken in accordance with QLDC’s enforcement strategy,” a QLDC spokesperson said. 

Following recent complaints, council planned to follow up with all consent holders to again ensure appropriate environmental controls are in place and resource consent compliance is adhered to, QLDC said. 

But if the developer is meeting the consent requirements and the council is investigating and enforcing it, what is the solution?

“If it is affecting neighbouring residents' quality of life there is something broken somewhere in the system,” Niamh said.

Tiffany, who said she understood the dust wasn’t an easy situation to mitigate, said the effect on people’s lives were significant and she hoped the attention drawn to the issue would lead to some changes.

“I’m hoping they're going to hear our calls for a little bit more mitigation effort.”