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Leaders open to council merger
A "mega merger" of the West Coast’s four councils into a unitary structure is not off the cards, local government leaders say.
Brendon McMahon
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Historic landmark process given tick
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Historic landmark process given tick
The community trust instrumental in the revival of historic Oamaru over the past 35 years has now formally signed its assent to a process to achieve National Historic Landmark status for the area.
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‘Step too far’ to appoint commissioner
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‘Step too far’ to appoint commissioner
Tensions flared in the Waitaki District Council chamber in Oamaru on Tuesday as veteran councillor Jim Thomson threatened to resign as chairman of the district plan review (DPR) subcommittee.
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Ceremony marks beginning of bridge replacement
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Ceremony marks beginning of bridge replacement
An official sod-turning has been conducted for a $11.6 million Kakanui Bridge replacement, 12km south of Oamaru.
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Review of staff numbers inevitable as budget honed
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Review of staff numbers inevitable as budget honed
A review of Waitaki District Council staffing is inevitable as it finalises a budget for the next few years.
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Challenged over disclosure
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Challenged over disclosure
The Waitaki District Council is being challenged over the disclosure of an August 2024 Environment Court decision, potentially impacting its proposed district plan process.
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Council staff budgets to be honed
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Council staff budgets to be honed
A review of Waitaki District Council staffing is inevitable as it finalises a budget for the next few years.
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Civic trust’s audit costs ‘very, very sobering’
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Civic trust’s audit costs ‘very, very sobering’
A key driver for the Oamaru heritage tourism sector says "disproportionate" audit costs are a significance issue.
Vandalism of reserve ‘gutless’
Vandalism of reserve ‘gutless’
The action of a vandal doing burnouts on a community reserve in Kakanui has been called "pretty gutless".
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Pause possible for draft district plan
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Pause possible for draft district plan
Waitaki district councillors may yet pause the draft Waitaki district plan, despite it already being with the public for consultation.
Car crashes into post at railway crossing
Car crashes into post at railway crossing
A vehicle, apparently travelling at speed in the centre of Oamaru about 2.20pm on Saturday, hit a railway crossing alarm post on the Thames St level crossing - coming to a stop in dramatic fashion.
Crash levels post at Oamaru crossing
Crash levels post at Oamaru crossing
A vehicle apparently being driven at speed hit a railway level crossing alarm post in Oamaru today, knocking it out of the ground.
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Kircher calling it quits as Waitaki mayor
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Kircher calling it quits as Waitaki mayor
The retiring Mayor of Waitaki, Gary Kircher, has called time on his four-term mayoralty, describing the last two terms as "really challenging".
Long-standing mayor quits
Long-standing mayor quits
Four-term Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher has announced he will not seek re-election.
'Incredible privilege': Four-term Otago mayor quits
'Incredible privilege': Four-term Otago mayor quits
The long-standing Mayor of Waitaki, Gary Kircher, has announced he will not seek re-election.
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Family donates land for new St John base
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Family donates land for new St John base
The Waitaki District Council has granted resource consent to Hato Hone St John for a new Oamaru ambulance and training base on semi-rural land at Weston.
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Catholic honoured for 50 years’ service
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Catholic honoured for 50 years’ service
An Oamaru Catholic has been honoured for 50 years of "loyal, faithful and loving" service with the St Vincent de Paul Society.
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Lions clubs strong in rural communities, governor says
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Lions clubs strong in rural communities, governor says
Oamaru hosted the Lions 202J District Convention last weekend, attended by 133 representatives from 33 clubs covering as far south as Milton and north to Rakaia.
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Significant restoration to keep school’s treasured memories
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Significant restoration to keep school’s treasured memories
A $2.5 million project to secure the Waitaki Boys’ High School Hall of Memories is well under way.
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Puketapu reserve status in debate
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Puketapu reserve status in debate
Efforts to return public access to a 52ha reserve on an East Otago landmark are heating up.