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Support for ward changes
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Support for ward changes
Otago regional councillors have unanimously supported a proposal to remove a councillor from Dunedin and add one to inland Otago at coming elections.
Hamish MacLean
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ORC rates to rise 16.3% on average
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ORC rates to rise 16.3% on average
Cr Michael Laws says the Otago Regional Council has "an extraordinary appetite for other people’s money".
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Stop-gap deals for pest control
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Stop-gap deals for pest control
Otago regional councillors will consider two interim one-year deals with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) as funding agreements for wilding pines and wallaby control expire.
Floated revamp could move council role
Floated revamp could move council role
As Queenstown’s and Wānaka’s populations grow, one Otago regional councillor role will be taken from Dunedin and moved to the Dunstan ward under a proposed revamp.
ORC seeks public’s views on climate-action plan
ORC seeks public’s views on climate-action plan
The Otago Regional Council has developed a suite of 10-year goals as it steps up action on climate change.
Marine reserve creation delayed
Marine reserve creation delayed
The "complexity" of the work at hand has delayed the creation of Otago’s marine reserves by several months, the Department of Conservation has confirmed.
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Labour market in its favour, ORC says
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Labour market in its favour, ORC says
Massive public sector job losses have produced a favourable labour market for the Otago Regional Council, a staff report says.
Chilly antics, warm hearts at surf lifesaving club
Chilly antics, warm hearts at surf lifesaving club
Trepidation, even fear, marked the faces of some of those on the beach ahead of the 95th St Clair Surf Life Saving Club Polar Plunge in Dunedin.
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'Lavish' ratepayer-funded dinner plan axed
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'Lavish' ratepayer-funded dinner plan axed
Plans for a ratepayer-funded dinner for Otago regional councillors were scrapped amid concerns it would be a bad look to "massively shunt up rates" and then have a lavish meal out to celebrate.
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New govt could pull fast-track consents: MP
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New govt could pull fast-track consents: MP
Consents granted under new fast-track approvals legislation could be cancelled by a change in government, a Dunedin MP says.
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MP seeking advice before giving view
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MP seeking advice before giving view
Environment Minister Penny Simmonds has asked to meet other ministers to discuss matters at the Otago Regional Council.
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Laws labelled sinister and cowardly
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Laws labelled sinister and cowardly
Otago regional councillor Michael Laws has been labelled muddled, sinister and cowardly by a departed council staffer.
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Councillor doubles down on criticism
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Councillor doubles down on criticism
The chief executive of the ORC is accused of not understanding the concept of public sector neutrality, as a councillor doubles down on criticism around council staff having political affiliations.
Roslyn overbridge crash leaves one in hospital
Roslyn overbridge crash leaves one in hospital
A person was taken to Dunedin Hospital after a vehicle left the road and hit the Roslyn overbridge in Highgate this afternoon.
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New date for application: landfill consent bid still on hold
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New date for application: landfill consent bid still on hold
The application to renew the consent to operate Dunedin’s landfill has been on hold for more than a year.
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Intersection ‘accident waiting to happen’
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Intersection ‘accident waiting to happen’
A confusing upgrade of an intersection in the heart of the student area has been labelled "an accident waiting to happen".
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Report on toxic gasworks tar still not complete
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Report on toxic gasworks tar still not complete
The Dunedin City Council says it has spent $300,000 over the past three years to figure out what to do with toxic tar under council land in South Dunedin.
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Lifting oil and gas exploration ban polarises
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Lifting oil and gas exploration ban polarises
A Dunedin city councillor says he is "quietly optimistic" about a return of gas exploration off Otago’s coast.
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ORC captured by small group, minister says
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ORC captured by small group, minister says
Minister Shane Jones says the Otago Regional Council has been "captured" by a small group, frustrating progress and stymieing the will of the people.
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Vet clinic bid facing ‘barriers’
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Vet clinic bid facing ‘barriers’
A large Otago veterinary practice says red tape is frustrating its efforts to open a clinic on the outskirts of Dunedin.