Hamish MacLean

Retirement village set for 20-bed expansion

An aerial view of the completed first stage of the Observatory Village Lifecare retirement...

Retirement village set for 20-bed expansion

Work on the next stage of a major Oamaru retirement village will begin next week after the Waitaki District Council approved a second multimillion-dollar loan for the project.

Consultation on Easter trading cut down to one step

Consultation on Easter trading cut down to one step

Easter Sunday trading consultation will be fast-tracked by the Waitaki District Council, but not without the reservation of several councillors.

$600K grant 'good step' for project

$600K grant 'good step' for project

With an extra $600,000 from the Otago Community Trust, Oamaru's Forrester Gallery redevelopment has reached 60% of its funding goal.

New turf coming this year

When Oamaru’s hockey turf turns from green to blue, the change will be much more than symbolic.

Good progress made on flood damage

SouthRoads crews continue to work on the flood-damaged Humber St bridge over Oamaru Creek on...

Good progress made on flood damage

The Humber St bridge in Oamaru is one of just eight roads that remain closed in North Otago after last month’s record-setting rain.

$3.5 m extra on loan for more beds

An extra $3.5million could be loaned to the Observatory Village Trust next week.

Abandoned boat to be removed from harbour

The Otago Regional Council will remove the derelict recreational vessel Sylvia from Oamaru...

Abandoned boat to be removed from harbour

A derelict boat abandoned in Oamaru Harbour will be brought ashore early this month.

$22m rest-home is ‘on time and within budget’

Observatory Village Lifecare general manager Rosie Dwyer will welcome staff to Oamaru’s new...

$22m rest-home is ‘on time and within budget’

One of the biggest commercial construction projects undertaken in Oamaru has been completed "on time and within budget", and yesterday the site’s management was passed from the building team to those who will run the new rest-home.

Lines companies must decide own future: trust

Waitaki Power Trust chairwoman Helen Brookes wants New Zealand lines companies - not the Government - to determine their futures.

It's a grabatology record - you can count on it

Holding the last tie counted, Irene Sparks relaxes with her world-record-breaking tie collection...

It's a grabatology record - you can count on it

While grabatology - having a passion for collecting ties - is quirky and good fun, making an attempt at the Guinness World Record for it is a serious business, Oamaru's Irene Sparks says.

Never say tie! Irene smashes record

Irene Sparks holds the last tie counted as she celebrates the end of a count that saw her set a...

Never say tie! North Otago woman smashes record

Records are made to be broken but Irene Sparks has just set one she hopes will last.

Strong interest in vacant sites

Strong interest in vacant sites

The search for developers for two vacant sites at Oamaru’s waterfront has started well, with 20 registered parties asking for information, Waitaki District Council acting chief executive Neil Jorgensen says.

Ire as penguin-watchers light up night

A crowd of about 100 people gathered on the breakwater in January for a sneak peak of little blue...

Ire as penguin-watchers light up night

Unruly behaviour could force a review of public access to the breakwater in Oamaru Harbour.

Won't settle for tying world record

Oamaru's Irene Sparks will count her up-to-23,000 ties on Saturday in her effort to enter the...

Won't settle for tying world record

After visiting more than 250 op shops, North Otago's Irene Sparks will try to break the Guinness World Record for grabatology.

$1m cost put on district's repairs

It will be weeks before Humber St is reopened, the Waitaki District Council says. PHOTO: HAMISH...

$1m cost put on district's repairs

Cleaning up after flooding in the Waitaki district could cost up to $1million.

Vital marrow links sisters

Oamaru’s Crossan family (from left) Kara, Brent, Hailey (18), Riley (13), and Tyla Crossan (17). ...

Vital marrow links sisters

Fighting cancer was a family affair for the Crossan family. Hamish MacLean met Hailey, Tyla and Kara Crossan to talk about Hailey’s battle with childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and how...

‘Robust’ consultation called for

A "robust framework" not a "rambling" approach is needed for a Harbour St closure consultation period, a Waitaki district councillor says.

Stadium proposal triggers concerns

Stadium proposal triggers concerns

A Waitaki district councillor says a proposal to build an indoor stadium in Oamaru would be a ''noose around the neck'' of the district's ageing ratepayer base.

Expansion of historic area

The Oamaru courthouse will be strengthened later this year. Photo: ODT.

Expansion of historic area

The expansion of Oamaru's historic area is a good ''first step'' as the town seeks even greater recognition for its heritage buildings, Waitaki district councillor Peter Garvan says.

Advertising kiosk proposed

The scene of last Tuesday's fatal car crash. Photo by Shannon Gillies.

Advertising kiosk proposed

Signs advertising local businesses could be contributing to the "high risk" drivers face at Moeraki, the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) says.

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Hamish MacLean