Sporting events hold sway
Sporting events hold sway
A wide range of sports events will dominate Lake Wanaka and local roads and trails this weekend.
Marjorie Cook
ORC to investigate flooding
ORC to investigate flooding
The Otago Regional Council will talk to the Hawea Irrigation Company regarding irrigation water escapes, following an Otago Daily Times report last week about occasional flooding problems faced by Kane Rd resident Maire Matheson over 31 years.
Call for submissions
Call for submissions
The public will have an opportunity to comment on the site of Wanaka's new police station in Ballantyne Rd, following a decision to apply for redesignation "for police purposes".
Over-irrigation 31-year irritation
Over-irrigation 31-year irritation
Hawea Flat property owner Maire Matheson has endured 31 summers of irrigation flooding on her property without adequate resolution and now says, "Enough is enough".
Cleaning up the back of beyond
Cleaning up the back of beyond
It seems inconceivable South Westland's rugged, remote, boulder-piled beaches should be polluted by plastic. But at the foot of most driftwood mountains, there's a drink bottle, a sea-battered fishing float, or a tangle of ropes and nets. Marjorie Cook reports.
Ideal fishing conditions
Ideal fishing conditions
Fish were practically jumping on the lines at the Lake Hawea Family Fishing Classic on Saturday.
Photos: South Westland beach cleanup
Photos: South Westland beach cleanup
Otago Daily Times reporter Marjorie Cook travels South Westland with a team cleaning plastic debris from remote beaches.
Tramper's rescue challenging
Tramper's rescue challenging
A 56-year-old nelson man who badly fractured a leg and injured his head when he fell about 5m in the Gorge River valley during a tramping trip in South Westland is recovering in Dunedin Hospital after a challenging helicopter rescue on Thursday afternoon.
Sludge disposal possibilities appear numerous
Sludge disposal possibilities appear numerous
The search for solutions to an accumulation of sludge is looking promising, solid wastes manager Stefan Borowy told the Queenstown Lakes District Council infrastructure services committee this week.
Recycling revised
Recycling revised
Smart Environmental's recycling services begin in Wanaka on March 5, with new crates to be delivered to eligible properties from Monday, February 20.
First filtration results positive
First filtration results positive
Favourable progress has been made with attempts to reduce the amount of algae in Wanaka's domestic water supply, following the trial of a filtration plant at the western intake, project manager Ken Gousmett reported this week.
Process approved for engaging council consultants
Process approved for engaging council consultants
The process for procuring the services of council consultants was approved by the Queenstown Lakes District Council infrastructure services committee this week.
Decision against development
Decision against development
A six-house development proposal for Damper Bay, criticised by the Wanaka Residents Association last year for its "industrial scale", has been refused by two Queenstown Lakes District Council commissioners.
Nod for Panorama Tce plans
Nod for Panorama Tce plans
Detailed designs will be drawn up for road rehabilitation works in Panorama Tce, Queenstown, following the Queenstown Lakes District Council infrastructure committee's approval of concept plans on Tuesday.
Water supply assurance agreed
Water supply assurance agreed
A group of Wanaka landowners would be reassured the council would protect their rights to an unrestricted water supply, in accordance with an Environment Court ruling, the Queenstown Lakes District Council's infrastructure committee agreed this week.
Committee neutral on tunnel plan
Committee neutral on tunnel plan
The Queenstown Lakes District Council's infrastructure services committee neither opposes nor supports the controversial 11.3km single-lane Dart Tunnel proposal for the Mt Aspiring National Park but it will make a submission highlighting several concerns it has regarding the impacts on Glenorchy, roading and transport.
Decision on roundabout close
Decision on roundabout close
The long-awaited Ardmore and Brownston Sts roundabout could be finished by June 30, but Wanaka councillor Lyal Cocks is advising everyone to contain their excitement.
Skeleton racing: Pair up for world champs
Skeleton racing: Pair up for world champs
New Zealand's top skeleton racers Katharine Eustace and Ben Sandford have qualified to compete at the world championships this month despite finishing outside the top 10 in their World Cup races at Whistler, Canada, on Monday.
Restored bomber for airshow
Restored bomber for airshow
The only remaining airworthy Avro Anson from World War 2 has been confirmed to fly at the Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow this Easter.
Getting out of your depth
Getting out of your depth
When people learn I've taken up open-water swimming, some immediately recoil, declaring it is something they could never do. I agree it's scary. But with practice, I'm learning to conquer it. Marjorie Cook reports.