ORC spent millions on legal help
ORC spent millions on legal help
The Otago Regional Council racked up an "horrific" $2.4 million bill securing outside legal assistance last year.
Hamish MacLean
Councillor wants ORC to waive water consent fees
Councillor wants ORC to waive water consent fees
The Otago Regional Council should waive fees for water users caught out as they convert expired historic water privileges into valid consents, a councillor says.
Mediation to cost $250 an hour
Mediation to cost $250 an hour
A Christchurch firm will charge $250 an hour, as a mediator, to take the steam out of an Otago Regional Council situation seemingly ready to boil over.
Dunedin sea lions notch up breeding record
Dunedin sea lions notch up breeding record
Dunedin's New Zealand sea lion pups have arrived in record numbers.
Staff asked about lessons from Lindis River plan change
Staff asked about lessons from Lindis River plan change
Setting a bar when users must stop taking water from a river is only an "ambulance at the bottom of the cliff", the Otago Regional Council says.
Mediator called to sort ORC
Mediator called to sort ORC
A mediator will be called in to sort out the trouble at the top of the Otago Regional Council.
Dunedin air quality outlier investigated
Dunedin air quality outlier investigated
Dunedin's worst day of air pollution last year was so bad the Otago Regional Council is questioning what really happened.
ORC to consult video replay as tensions continue
ORC to consult video replay as tensions continue
A "video ref" is being called in to see who is right, as Otago regional councillors and the chief executive continue to be at odds.
Northerners flee to Queenstown, Central
Northerners flee to Queenstown, Central
Aucklanders and Wellingtonians are fleeing their cities for the provinces.
Northerners flee to Queenstown, Central
Northerners flee to Queenstown, Central
Aucklanders and Wellingtonians are fleeing their cities for the provinces.
Landfill opponents opt out of speaking at hearing
Landfill opponents opt out of speaking at hearing
Less than 20% of submitters on Dunedin City Council’s proposal for a landfill south of the city have signed up to speak at the coming hearing.
Councillor, staff relations on agenda
Councillor, staff relations on agenda
Otago regional councillors’ relationship with council staff will be up for discussion this week.
Petrol hits $3 a litre
Petrol hits $3 a litre
People at the petrol pump yesterday were resigned to higher prices as unleaded 91 topped $3 a litre for some in the South.
Tensions between staff, councillors affect ORC work
Tensions between staff, councillors affect ORC work
Tension between staff and Otago regional councillors has risen to a point where it is affecting the organisation’s work, its chief executive says.
Witnesses to stabbing sought
Witnesses to stabbing sought
The Mosgiel Mini Mart worker stabbed in an aggravated robbery in Mosgiel on Thursday night walked to a waiting ambulance unaided, a neighbour says.
Mosgiel dairy owner seriously hurt in robbery
Mosgiel dairy owner seriously hurt in robbery
The owner of the Mini Mart believed stabbed in an aggravated robbery in Mosgiel last night walked to a waiting ambulance under his own steam, a neighbour says.
Clutha dumping: New inquiry after staff refusal to talk
Clutha dumping: New inquiry after staff refusal to talk
The follow-up inquiry into the dumping of demolition waste into the Clutha River is taking place after Otago Regional Council staff refused to talk to the Environmental Protection Authority last year.
Kelliher’s action outside scope of auditor
Kelliher’s action outside scope of auditor
The Office of the Auditor-general will not investigate allegations of improper behind-the-scenes dealings of an Otago regional councillor.
Search on for penguin-killing pathogens
Search on for penguin-killing pathogens
Dunedin research could help to find what is causing two mysterious illnesses ravaging mainland New Zealand’s endangered yellow-eyed penguin chicks.
ORC manager irate over too much on his plate
ORC manager irate over too much on his plate
An Otago Regional Council general manager lost his cool at councillors, accused them of piling on the work, and called one resolution a "load of rubbish" at a meeting yesterday.