Rebecca Fox

Snow is falling in Southland and parts of Otago as officials make final preparations for the polar blast that could cause chaos for many regions.

More than a month's rainfall fell in 24 hours along coastal Otago yesterday, flooding roads, rail lines and farmland.

New Zealand Transport Agency's latest procedures and rules, if adopted, will go against what the Otago Regional Council believes is good for Otago's public transport system.

A cheaper option for easing flooding concerns for Dunedin's central city appears to have been ruled out by the University of Otago's latest building plans.

Further shifts in attitude need to occur if water quality is to remain in ''good health'' in Central Otago, the Otago Regional Council says.

Bad discharge practices could be promoted by the granting of stormwater discharge consents to the Dunedin City Council, the Otago Regional Council says.

Part of a cliff face has fallen on to an Aramoana beach, narrowly missing a colony of endangered yellow-eyed penguins.

Dunedin, Mosgiel and Balclutha residents can no longer get a subsidy to install a clean heating appliance, but their more inland neighbours still will.

Beautiful clear days, little wind and cold nights brought some of the worst air quality results seen in a year to Alexandra and Cromwell last week.

Otago's winter visitors have begun arriving much to the delight of coastal residents.