An increase in activity at the Oamaru Opera House and a rise in camping ground fees are two areas behind a higher-than-expected surplus for the Waitaki District Council, according to new financial figures.
Biodiversity projects in the Upper Waitaki and Mackenzie Basin have received a funding boost of more than $50,000 to help protect the area's wetlands and waterways from wilding pine encroachment and stock damage.
Two Waitaki Valley wines have won gold medals at a prestigious London wine competition, and with winegrowers saying this year's grape harvest is bigger and better than usual, more awards could be ahead.
Waitaki ratepayers are mostly singing from the same song sheet when it comes to which amenities should get funding.
For the past six months a North Otago gift shop owner has been watching her childhood dream slowly come true, as work progresses on her very own fairytale castle.
Moves to restore an historic 1912 fountain at the Oamaru Gardens should be a step closer to reality within two months, when a decision is made on how to fund the estimated $120,000 project.
Oamaru's health stocks have received a boost with the arrival of two new, permanent general practitioners to the town.
Engineers in the early phases of a multimillion-dollar refurbishment of the Waitaki Dam and powerhouse say it is a testament to the skills of the original builders that the 1930s facility still stands up to modern scrutiny - but its generators could still need replacing within the next five to 10 years.
The Ministry of Education will investigate ways to improve wheelchair facilities on school bus services nationally, after ''a number'' of people, including a woman from Oamaru, voiced safety concerns.
Artworks held in the collection stores of the Forrester Art Gallery in Oamaru were made available for public viewing this week as the gallery celebrated its 30th birthday.
Waitaki residents have put forward suggestions on how to protect one of North Otago's best-known scenic routes, but some ratepayers say any efforts to save the Oamaru to Waianakarua coastal road from marine erosion would be futile, because the ''sea would triumph in the end''.
Pensioners in Waitaki will have just two months to enjoy an increase in their superannuation benefit before it is partially gobbled up by a hike in community housing rent.
Glider pilots across New Zealand are to be warned of the dangers of dehydration in hot conditions, following the findings of a coronial inquiry into the death of a Hororata pilot who crashed near Omarama.
Two Weston volunteer firefighters will next week complete a rigorous three-month training schedule as they attempt to take on more than 4000 other firefighters in a race to the top of Auckland's Sky Tower.
An Oamaru schoolboy who was given the thumbs-up by X Factor judges last weekend, says singing is in the family genes.
North Otago Search and Rescue teams will soon be able to use new high-tech equipment that will improve the way rescue efforts are co-ordinated, after the organisation was given a $14,000 grant.
A Palmerston level crossing has been upgraded just a month after being placed on KiwiRail's national priority list of crossings.
A ''missing'' Canadian tramper was yesterday found safe and well - although the man had no idea he had been reported as missing.
After successfully negotiating the switch to digital television, Oamaru's 45 South Television is hoping that with a bit of technical ''tinkering'' its broadcasting range can be increased.
Plans to boost Lake Tekapo township by redeveloping the town centre and lakefront are expected to be put into action later this year. It is hoped the plan will attract more permanent residents to the town and bring an extra $1 million into the local economy.
