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Central Otago's mayor and councillors have written to Queenstown Lakes District Council about Wānaka sludge being spread near Lauder.

<p>Grant part of $560m invitation-only scheme transparency advocates say largely funded projects in Labor-held seats</p><ul><li><p>Follow our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2026/oct/27/one-nation-pauline-hanson-independent-jacqui-lambie-labor-anthony-albanese-coalition-ntwnfb">Australian politics live blog</a> for latest updates</p>

The prime minister’s admission came after bureaucrats said Albanese’s stated use for the funding was not what it was designed for.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has admitted he was wrong when he said a $6 million grant for a golf club in his electorate was to fix sewage issues, after Infrastructure Department officials rejected that claim.

Sewage spills, rampant invasive vegetation and relentless cable theft are undermining the Baakens Valley, a vital green corridor running through Gqeberha. Environmentalists and local representatives warn that poor maintenance, weak security and inadequate municipal oversight are putting its fragile ecosystem and untapped potential at risk.

The landscaping project has beaten 26 others from around Australia to take out the prize.

More than 400 people, mostly children under four, contracted gastrointestinal illnesses after drinking contaminated tap water in Bronkhorstspruit, exposing failures in water treatment and municipal oversight. The outbreak highlights South Africa’s wider sewage crisis, with experts warning that failing wastewater systems threaten drinking-water safety and nat

The plan would eliminate sewage spills into Windermere, blamed for turning the water green.