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Council's response to stay secret for now
The Otago Regional Council has responded to Environment Minister Penny Simmonds — but for now its answers to her questions remain a secret.
Hamish MacLean
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ORC not yet able to respond to minister’s request
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ORC not yet able to respond to minister’s request
Environment Minister Penny Simmonds will have to wait for "complete" answers around the costs associated with Otago’s next land and water plan, ORC chief executive Richard Saunders says.
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Govt putting ORC in ‘impossible position’
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Govt putting ORC in ‘impossible position’
Labour's environment spokeswoman is calling on the Otago Regional Council to stay the course in the face of pressure from the government "to roll back environmental protections".
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Rabbits drop at problem properties
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Rabbits drop at problem properties
Rabbit numbers appear to have dropped at problem properties across the region, the Otago Regional Council says.
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Cost makes wastewater plan ‘impossible’
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Cost makes wastewater plan ‘impossible’
Paying for new wastewater infrastructure will be "totally impossible" if new rules stopping discharges into waterways come into effect, Central Otago District Mayor Tim Cadogan says.
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Information sought before next steps decided
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Further information sought by MP before next steps decided
The Environment Minister has asked the ORC for further information on the effects its new rules could have on the region’s forestry and farming sector as tensions ratchet up around rules for freshwater.
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Climate paper suggested by MP ‘bunk’
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Climate paper suggested by MP ‘bunk’
A Dunedin student says he was alarmed to be asked for his views on a dubious climate change research paper by a sitting MP.
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New seat ‘quite a big thing’
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New seat ‘quite a big thing’
A seat has been installed at a King Edward St bus stop — but more importantly a community has been heard, Grey Power Otago president Jo Millar says.
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B+LNZ comes out against proposed farm rules
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B+LNZ comes out against proposed farm rules
Beef + Lamb New Zealand says unprecedented rules proposed for Otago sheep and beef farmers could cost more than $900 million in new fencing alone.
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Clutha investigated buying land: mayor
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Clutha investigated buying land: mayor
A southern council has investigated buying farms amid concerns Otago councils could be required to discharge treated wastewater to land instead of waterways.
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Industry to take fight to High Court
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Industry to take fight to High Court
The Otago rock lobster industry has taken its fight against the region’s marine reserves to the High Court.
Big Boy's stay attracted ‘like-minded’ people
Big Boy's stay brought together ‘like-minded’ people
Gone but not forgotten - a juvenile southern elephant seal has captivated beachgoers at a Dunedin beach for the past 44 days.
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Ratepayers to face ‘astronomical costs’
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Ratepayers to face ‘astronomical costs’
A "secretive" Otago Regional Council is about to foist "astronomical costs" on to unaware ratepayers, Federated Farmers says.
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Repair bill prompts fast-track dam bid
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Repair bill prompts fast-track dam bid
A repair bill of up to $40 million has spurred a bid for fast-track approval for a new dam to replace Falls Dam at the Manuherikia River headwaters.
German artist seeks Doc help to model rare whale
German artist seeks Doc help to model rare whale
A German artist who has spent decades sculpting and painting the world’s whales hopes a Dunedin discovery can help him complete a project he began 14 years ago.
Exhibition brings nature indoors
Exhibition brings nature indoors
An abundance of leaves, branches and flowers now fill Dunedin Community Gallery, in Princes St.
Lack of expertise may hinder kākā investigation
Lack of expertise may hinder kākā investigation
An investigation into the wellbeing of a captive kākā in Dunedin could be hampered by a lack of expertise in "behavioural assessment" in New Zealand.
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Concern over kaka stress at botanic garden aviary
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Concern over kaka stress at botanic garden aviary
Animal welfare concerns have been raised about kākā in the South Island’s captive breeding programme at the Dunedin Botanic Garden aviary.
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South D climate report 'unwelcome and concerning'
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Climate change threat: Analysing risk for south city
The first detailed picture of the climate change threat to South Dunedin will be "unwelcome and concerning" reading for some, its author says.
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Aurora sale 'would have cut rates': Thomson
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Aurora sale 'would have cut rates': Thomson
If a proposed investment fund created through the sale of Aurora Energy had already been operating, this year’s rates rise would have been 5.2% — not 17.5%, a recently departed board member says.