Visitor numbers defy trend
Visitor numbers defy trend
Waitaki tourism has gone against the national trend with an increase in tourists to the area last year, boosted by more New Zealand visitors.
Waitaki
New electoral officer appointed
New electoral officer appointed
A new electoral officer has been appointed for for the Waitaki District Council.
Court challenge of dairy-farm consents still on
Court challenge of dairy-farm consents still on
The Waitaki District Council still faces a High Court challenge to resource consents and compliance certificates it issued last year for 16 new dairy farms in the Omarama and Ohau areas.
Existing businesses survey
Existing businesses survey
Retaining existing businesses and industries in the Waitaki district and determining what impediments there are to expansion is the subject of a survey being undertaken by the Waitaki Development Board.
Power plan caution call
Power plan caution call
Federated Farmers is concerned having two competing electricity generators operating power stations on the Waitaki River could affect irrigation in North Otago and South Canterbury.
Very dry conditions prompt fire ban
Very dry conditions prompt fire ban
Extremely dry conditions have resulted in the Waitaki rural fire authority imposing a prohibited fire season in the district.
Books to help Aids orphans
Books to help Aids orphans
African-born Getrude Matshe was in Oamaru yesterday to pick up a very special consignment of books.
Waitaki district does well despite recession
Waitaki district does well despite recession
Waitaki district is prospering despite the world-wide economic recession, doing better than the New Zealand average in economic growth and with a static population.
Meeting to hear plans for salmon
Meeting to hear plans for salmon
A five-member steering committee established to look at riparian enhancement of the Waitaki River, including establishing a salmon hatchery, will present its findings to a public meeting at Glenavy next month.
Minister hints at middle way on ECan
Minister hints at middle way on ECan
The Government is unlikely to fully implement a report which recommends sacking the elected Environment Canterbury regional council, replacing it with commissioners and splitting water management from the other functions of the regional council.
Draft plan agreed; open for comment
Draft plan agreed; open for comment
An overall rates rise of 1.8% has been approved by the Waitaki District Council in its draft 2010-11 annual plan, which will now go out for public comment.
Hospital cuts loss
Hospital cuts loss
Waitaki District Health Services, operator of the Oamaru Hospital, has recorded a small loss for the first six months of this year and hopes to at least break even at the end of the financial year, despite forecasting a major deficit.
Selling stations not seen to reduce power prices
Selling stations not seen to reduce power prices
The Waitaki Power Trust has joined growing criticism over the Government's plan to force Meridian Energy Ltd to sell its Tekapo power stations on the Waitaki River system to competitor Genesis Energy Ltd.
Dairy decision supported by district council
Dairy decision supported by district council
cThe Waitaki District Council supports the decision by Environment Minister Nick Smith to "call in" the associated consent applications for controversial intensive dairy farming proposals in the Omarama and Ohau area.
Funding to enable more visitors to see Vanished World
Funding to enable more visitors to see Vanished World
The Vanished World fossil and geological trail around the Waitaki district is to get a higher profile to boost visitor numbers, with help from Meridian Energy Ltd.
Crackdown on bad behaviour
Crackdown on bad behaviour
Police are boosting their numbers in the Waitaki Valley during the Christmas holiday period in an attempt to quell the type of disorderly behaviour which disrupted Otematata at Labour weekend.
Suggestion Genesis could hold Meridian Energy to ransom
Suggestion Genesis could hold Meridian Energy to ransom
People used to dealing with the hydro generation issues of the Waitaki River are struggling to see how two competing power companies can work together to use the same resource wisely.
Waste exchange scheme
Waste exchange scheme
One man's rubbish being another man's treasure is the thinking behind a new scheme funded by the Waitaki District Council to the sum of almost $75,000 over two years.
Opening of winery milestone for new wine region
Opening of winery milestone for new wine region
The Waitaki Valley will come of age tomorrow as a wine region with the official opening of its first winery and cellar door east of Kurow on State Highway 83.
Council defends hike in fees
Council defends hike in fees
The Waitaki District Council has defended a substantial increase in its building-consent fees, despite a concern it could hinder development during the economic recession.