WDC

Some farmers upset by a big rise in rates they may have to pay the Waitaki District Council are winning support from Federated Farmers.

Kauru Hill's war memorial is to be made over to public ownership.

It would appear only about one quarter of all visitors to the North Otago Museum in January and February were local people, even though they pay for the facility through their rates.

"Dob in a dumper" was Waitaki district councillor Rod Bidois' call to Waitaki people yesterday.

Blakely Pacific looks set to buy two forestry blocks, totalling just over 1100ha, from the Waimate District Council.

Farmers facing big rate rises because of increases in their property values were notable by their absence at a Waitaki District Council draft annual plan meeting at Five Forks last night.

Ratepayers across Otago face the possibility of unscheduled rates hikes within months if the Government confirms plans to lift GST as high as 15%.

Waitaki district residents are paying a substantial amount for a comprehensive infrastructure because of the area's low population, a new state-of-the-environment report looking at utilities says.

The Waitaki district still has a total fire ban, despite some people thinking they can light fires after rain at the weekend.

The Waitaki district still has a total fire ban, despite some people thinking they can light fires after rain at the weekend.

Whitestone Contracting Ltd expects "a more positive outcome" at the end of this financial year than the loss it has recorded in the first six months, according to chairman of directors John Walker.

The Waitaki District Council-owned contracting company Whitestone Contracting made a loss for the first six months of this financial year, but only after donations and sponsorships to the community.

A new electoral officer has been appointed for for the Waitaki District Council.

A nominal date next month has been set for the High Court at Timaru to consider a challenge against the Waitaki District Council approving resource consents and compliance certificates for 16 new dairy farms in the Omarama and Ohau areas.

The Waitaki District Council is likely to approve tomorrow a draft budget with a 1.8% rate rise in the next financial year, but the final figure will depend on what the community thinks.

"We're a tourist town and we should have them available," is Waitaki district councillor Peter Garvan's reaction to a proposal to close several public toilets in Oamaru.