New ORC councillor sworn in

Former Queenstown Lakes District councillor Ella Lawton was yesterday sworn in as an Otago Regional councillor, and has become deputy chairwoman of the council technical committee.

After winning a recent by-election in the council's Dunstan ward, Cr Lawton takes up a regional council position previously held by her mother, the late Dr Maggie Lawton, who had served as chairwoman of the committee. Cr Andrew Noone is the committee's new chairman.

During her first regional council meeting yesterday, Cr Lawton voiced concern over lake weed, and said she had been travelling extensively, including to keep in touch with community groups and concerns, in the council's large Dunstan ward, which comprises the Queenstown Lakes district and the Central Otago district.