Andrew Ashton

Planned closure of hospital accommodation ‘a shock’ for patients

Cancer patient Murray Radka in his home in Springvale, near Alexandra. PHOTO: ELLA JENKINS

Planned closure of hospital accommodation ‘a shock’ for patients

A South Island cancer patient is in shock at the impending closure of hospital accommodation that has been a godsend for rural people getting hospital treatment.

Impending closure of Oamaru House ‘a shock’

An Alexandra cancer patient is in shock at the impending closure of hospital accommodation that has been a godsend for rural people coming to Dunedin for treatment.

Rates rise of 9.79% splits council

Cr Jim Hopkins was left disgruntled at a meeting of Waitaki District Council. PHOTO: ANDREW ASHTON

Rates rise of 9.79% splits council

Waitaki District Council’s longest-serving councillor has been left annoyed and frustrated with fellow councillors’ inability find further ways of reducing rates bills.

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Hospital housing for out-of-town families under threat

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Hospital housing for out-of-town families under threat

A volunteer-run service providing affordable accommodation to out-of-town families of patients in Dunedin Hospital has been given just four months to find a new building or close for good.

After-hours healthcare services to be improved

After-hours healthcare services to be improved

People in need of health services in Oamaru will find it easier to be assessed out-of-hours after a funding boost.

Passionate performers

The Oamaru Performing Arts Society hosted its 86th Annual Festival at the Oamaru Opera House, last weekend.

Rare law change waives $1.4m bill for WDC

Holes left from digging up road to extract 19,000 tonnes of old refuse left the erosion-prone...

Rare law change waives $1.4m bill for WDC

A rare parliamentary law change has waived a potential $1.4m bill relating to environmental cleanup work that left a 2.2km stretch of scenic coast road at Kakanui unusable.

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'Russian Roulette': Action on speed limits demanded

Hampden residents meet with Waitaki MP Miles Anderson (right) to ask for speed limits to change....

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'Russian Roulette': Action on speed limits demanded

Hampden’s location on the state highway makes it an ideal stop-off for truckies and tired motorists, but with the busy road cutting the township in half, it is a big safety worry for residents.

Rents up, fewer places available

Rents up, fewer places available

The supply of rental properties in Oamaru has dropped and rents are up $65 a week, new data shows.

Community input sought over water

The Waitaki District Council headquarters in Oamaru's Thames St. Photo: ODT files

Community input sought over water

Waitaki District Council will consult the community on becoming part of a four-way "coalition of the willing" behind a multi-district water services entity.

Councillor to throw hat back in the ring

Councillor to throw hat back in the ring

Papakaio's Kevin Malcolm is "excited to go again", standing for a third term as regional councillor, but hopes the upcoming local body elections will also see him joined by more councillors whose...

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Company fined for wetland herbicide damage

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Company fined for wetland herbicide damage

A North Otago helicopter company has been fined for spraying glyphosate-laced herbicide over a swathe of native plants at a Waitaki Valley wetland, actions that will take up two 20 years to undo, documents reveal.

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Lower speed limits wanted

Hampden policeman Constable Neil Rushton. PHOTO: ODT FILES

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Lower speed limits wanted

Hampden's location on State Highway 1 makes it an ideal stop-off for truckies and tired motorists but the busy road cutting the township in half is a safety worry for residents.

Gambling review halted despite record pokies losses

The Waitaki District Council has halted a review of its gambling policy, despite record poker machine losses.

Family reunited in graveside ceremony

Owen Rodgers in scout regalia for the World Scout Jamboree in France in 1947. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

Family reunited in graveside ceremony

A fitting tribute reunited a well-known scout leader and former Oamaru Mail worker with his departed grandfather and missing father.

Next moves by councils over water

Next moves by councils over water

The next step has been taken by the alliance of four southern councils over water operations.

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Tourism faces drastic funding cut

Visitors wander through some of the limestone left by the early formation of New Zealand, at the...

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Tourism faces drastic funding cut

Waitaki tourism funding is likely to be slashed by the district council — throwing the Unesco-accredited Waitaki Whitestone Geopark’s future funding in doubt.

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In-house water delivery service preferred by district council

A new report has found a substantial proportion of groundwater is failing drinking standards....

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In-house water delivery service preferred by district council

Any chance of Waitaki setting up a regional water company with neighbouring South Canterbury authorities has been scuppered, with Waimate district preferring to go it alone.

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Andrew Ashton