Plan change close to final tick
Plan change close to final tick
The Otago Regional Council's water quality plan change is past its last major hurdle.
ORC
Continue algae caution
Continue algae caution
People should continue to take care when walking their dogs near Otago waterways as potentially toxic algae could be present on banks as well as in the water after recent high rainfall, the Otago Regional Council says.
Support for oil exploration 'unlawful'
Support for oil exploration 'unlawful'
Otago regional councillor Gerrard Eckhoff has not ruled out further pushes to get the council to debate the issues around oil and gas exploration, after failing at the first hurdle yesterday.
Robust debate crucial
Robust debate crucial
Democracy at the Otago Regional Council has died, writes Gerrard Eckhoff.
ORC pay request turned down
ORC pay request turned down
A call for pay to be more even between Otago Regional councillors with the responsibility for a committee and those who do not has been turned down by the Remuneration Authority.
Up with technology
Up with technology
Otago regional councillor Trevor Kempton uses his new iPad during a council meeting yesterday.
ORC guarded on drilling
ORC guarded on drilling
The Otago Regional Council's ability to take a position on oil and gas exploration off Otago's coast may be restricted by having to consider future resource consents related to the activity.
Bus use 'reality check'
Bus use 'reality check'
Analysis showing a decrease of about 1% in use of Dunedin's public bus system is a ''reality check'', Otago regional councillor Bryan Scott says.
No exceptions on sewage spills: ORC
No exceptions on sewage spills: ORC
No-one is exempt from prosecution for spills that pollute waterways, the Otago Regional Council says.
ORC debates failure to meet air quality targets
ORC debates failure to meet air quality targets
Rather than lobbying the Government to relax air pollution standards, the Otago Regional Council should seek the reinstatement of more substantial subsidies for insulation and clean heating options, Cr Gretchen Robertson says.
ORC motion filed to support drilling
ORC motion filed to support drilling
An Otago regional councillor has filed a notice of motion to the Otago Regional Council encouraging it to support Anadarko Petroleum Corporation and Shell New Zealand's deep-sea oil drilling explorations off the coast of Otago.
Ready for challenges seen ahead
Ready for challenges seen ahead
Any apprehension Peter Bodeker may have had about leaving the primary sector for an organisation perceived as ''green'' has been put to rest in the past year.
Society to run Xmas Daybus service
Society to run Xmas Daybus service
For the third year in a row, the Otago Heritage Bus Society will provide a bus service in Dunedin on Christmas Day.
Regional council focus on oversight
Regional council focus on oversight
An audit and risk committee will be formed to ensure Otago Regional Council is keeping up with law changes, is accountable and its processes are robust.
Council science losses of concern
Council science losses of concern
Concerns the Otago Regional Council's science-based capability, especially around water quality, may be curtailed by the organisation's restructure, have been raised by Cr Bryan Scott.
Questions on triennial agreement
Questions on triennial agreement
Just how much investigative work the Otago Regional Council is committing to under the triennial agreement between the region's local authorities needs some clarification, Cr David Shepherd says.
ORC to work with board on erosion
ORC to work with board on erosion
The Otago Regional Council is to investigate erosion on the Taieri River after concerns were raised by the Strath Taieri Community Board.
Groundwater allocation
Groundwater allocation
Preventing overallocation of Otago's aquifers is the aim of the latest water plan change proposed by the Otago Regional Council.
Intensive land use bad news for water
Intensive land use bad news for water
Nutrient loads are expected to increase in Otago water, as land use intensifies, which will lead to worsening water quality, the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment warns.
'Gobsmacked' at ORC late rates fees
'Gobsmacked' at ORC late rates fees
A Dunedin businessman is ''gobsmacked'' after the Otago Regional Council charged him $500 in late fees, even though he sent his rates payments before the due date.