Assessment of Manuherikia River tailor-made
Assessment of Manuherikia River tailor-made
The criteria used to assess the ecological health of the Manuherikia River may not be the same as for other Otago rivers, the Otago Regional Council says.
Hamish MacLean
First sea lion pup of summer due soon
First sea lion pup of summer due soon
Dunedin could welcome its first New Zealand sea lion pup of the summer as early as this week.
10 Maori recommendations on Three Waters
10 Maori recommendations on Three Waters
Dunedin iwi consultancy Aukaha has provided 10 recommendations for the governance of the planned new drinking water, stormwater and wastewater provider for the South Island.
Complaint cost irks councillor
Complaint cost irks councillor
An Otago regional councillor says he is astounded by the hefty price ratepayers have paid pursuing a code of conduct complaint against one of his colleagues.
Humour, daybreak lift spirits in Crush the Cargill
Humour, daybreak lift spirits in Crush the Cargill
Everything hurts by about lap 15 of Crush the Cargill, the Dunedin endurance race’s founder says.
New staff roles cut at ORC to curb rates rise
New staff roles cut at ORC to curb rates rise
Some new staff positions scheduled to start next year have been dropped as Otago Regional Council staff have started to pull back spending in order to stick to an 18% rates rise next year.
Decision to look into ORC dumping actions
Decision to look into ORC dumping actions
The ripples from illegal dumping in the Clutha River early this year are still being felt at the Otago Regional Council.
Inconsistent wastewater enforcement allegations
Inconsistent wastewater enforcement allegations
Significant non-compliance still affects Otago’s wastewater treatment plants.
$45 million for Taieri flood control
$45 million for Taieri flood control
The Otago Regional Council will spend about $45 million over the next 30 years protecting the Taieri Plain from flooding.
Opponents dominate landfill submissions
Opponents dominate landfill submissions
The Dunedin City Council has a fight on its hands over its landfill plans as 272 submitters opposed its proposal and only two came out in support.
Otago regional councillors reminded about mask use
Otago regional councillors reminded about mask use
Otago Regional Council chief executive Sarah Gardner has pulled up councillors about lax mask use at its Philip Laing House offices.
Reminder after sea lions harassed
Reminder after sea lions harassed
Police are reminding people to stay away from wildlife on Dunedin beaches this summer after reports a motorcycle rider was harassing endangered New Zealand sea lions at the weekend.
ORC code of conduct not up to job, QC says
ORC code of conduct not up to job, QC says
The Otago Regional Council will review its code of conduct after an eminent Dunedin lawyer called its present version not fit for purpose.
Rescue helicopter demand at new high
Rescue helicopter demand at new high
Otago Regional Rescue Helicopters spent nearly 3000 hours in the air last year as demand for the service increased to new highs.
Councillors push back against ORC rates hike, seek cap
Councillors push back against ORC rates hike, seek cap
Otago regional councillors have pushed back against a recommended 20% rates rise next year.
Councillors vote not to replace Hobbs, salary redistributed
Councillors vote not to replace Hobbs, salary redistributed
A Green Party candidate got a look, but departed councillor Marian Hobbs will not be replaced at the Otago Regional Council before the next election.
Regional council staff targeted in central government recruitment drive, CEO says
Regional council staff targeted in central government recruitment drive, CEO says
Central government agencies with deep pockets are trying to poach Otago Regional Council staff, the council’s chief executive says.
A closer look at the Hyde fault
A closer look at the Hyde fault
University of Otago geology PhD candidate Jonathan Griffin studies the Hyde trench at the foot of the Rock and Pillar range near Dunedin.
No breach of code of conduct
No breach of code of conduct
An independent investigator has cleared Otago regional councillor Michael Laws of wrongdoing in a code of conduct complaint against him by the council chief executive.
Race is on to complete groynes
Race is on to complete groynes
Work to end six decades of erosion at an Otago Peninsula beach is nearly complete.