Waitaki

Floodbank and works on the lower Waitaki River and at Henley could soon be protected by an Otago Regional Council bylaw.

Farmers and other applicants should have decisions by Christmas on their applications for water from the upper Waitaki catchment.

The dwindling population of wild bees has prompted a plea to the Waitaki District Council to make it easier for people to have hives in residential areas.

The owners of cribs in a fishing village which has existed for about 90 years next to the Kakanui River at Gemmells Crossing may be granted leases to occupy Department of Conservation land.

Most Waitaki, Waimate and Mackenzie ratepayers will pay slightly more in rates to Environment Canterbury from tomorrow, despite the Christchurch-based regional council collecting the same total amount as this year.

Attempts are under way to improve the sometimes vexed relationship between Palmerston, in East Otago, and the North Island's Palmerston North.

The Waitaki Development Board is likely to end this financial year with a small surplus after this week reporting a half-year result of a $90,238 surplus after tax.

The Waitaki District Council will have spent more than $21 million upgrading 21 water supplies by 2014, but the largest and most expensive project has already been completed.

Late submission on the Waitaki District Council's review of its Gambling Venues Policy covering poker machines has led to it delaying any decisions.