There will only be minor changes to services provided by the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) under the new alert level three, which started yesterday (Tuesday April 28).

Most of the QLDC services provided under alert level four will continue through alert level three, including phones being manned, kerbside collections, animal control and limited public rubbish bins being serviced.

Libraries, public swimming pools, sport and recreation centres, community green waste sites and landfills will continue to be closed to the general public, but essential and safe services which already have an existing account can use the landfill.

Under alert level three the Wanaka Transfer Stations will partially reopen under strict terms and conditions to keep everyone safe. Access to the Transfer Stations will continue for collection vehicles and essential services as per existing arrangements, but limited access will be provided for safe services and members of the public who are struggling with excess waste or not eligible for the kerbside collection service. 

The council will review the public toilets closed under alert level four with the intention of reopening more under alert level three. 

The Transfer Stations will only be accepting waste into the pit for disposal at landfill. Areas for diversion of items such as green waste, scrap metal, and hazardous goods will not be accessible during alert level three. 

Access to the Wanaka Transfer Station will be managed via an online booking system. Make a booking here. All interactions must be contactless so payment is only by account or paywave.

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While parks and reserves staff will return to routine maintenance of open space, track and trails where practicable, facilities such as playgrounds, skate parks, pump tracks, frisbee golf courses and drinking fountains will remain closed. 

Site visits for building inspections and the issuing of code of compliance certificates started yesterday. Where level three restrictions may restrict staff from being able to undertake and complete a site visit, staff will liaise with applicants.

Council staff will resume track maintenance.

Notified resource consents that involve a number of submitters and have a high level of community interest have been postponed until further notice. These will be reviewed upon a move to level two. Publicly notified resource consents that are ready to be notified will also be reassessed under level two.

Glass will continue to be recycled but the mixed recycling (yellow bin) will temporarily go to the landfill in Queenstown as the materials recovery facility (MRF) in Frankton where recyclables are sorted remains closed. The decision on when to reopen the MRF is likely to be made ahead of any move to level two, the council said.

Routine maintenance of roads and three waters operations (drinking, waste and stormwater) will continue as normal but reactive maintenance will be expanded and some construction activities will recommence where safe work practices and physical distancing can be maintained.

Recreational water use will now be allowed under level three, although motorised forms remain forbidden; so no boating, jetskiing or sailing. 

An announcement on when all council-managed sport, recreation and library facilities might reopen will be made before the country moves to alert level two.

Updates and further details can be found on QLDC’s website here.

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