Complaint cost irks councillor
Complaint cost irks councillor
An Otago regional councillor says he is astounded by the hefty price ratepayers have paid pursuing a code of conduct complaint against one of his colleagues.
Hamish MacLean
Humour, daybreak lift spirits in Crush the Cargill
Humour, daybreak lift spirits in Crush the Cargill
Everything hurts by about lap 15 of Crush the Cargill, the Dunedin endurance race’s founder says.
New staff roles cut at ORC to curb rates rise
New staff roles cut at ORC to curb rates rise
Some new staff positions scheduled to start next year have been dropped as Otago Regional Council staff have started to pull back spending in order to stick to an 18% rates rise next year.
Decision to look into ORC dumping actions
Decision to look into ORC dumping actions
The ripples from illegal dumping in the Clutha River early this year are still being felt at the Otago Regional Council.
Inconsistent wastewater enforcement allegations
Inconsistent wastewater enforcement allegations
Significant non-compliance still affects Otago’s wastewater treatment plants.
$45 million for Taieri flood control
$45 million for Taieri flood control
The Otago Regional Council will spend about $45 million over the next 30 years protecting the Taieri Plain from flooding.
Opponents dominate landfill submissions
Opponents dominate landfill submissions
The Dunedin City Council has a fight on its hands over its landfill plans as 272 submitters opposed its proposal and only two came out in support.
Otago regional councillors reminded about mask use
Otago regional councillors reminded about mask use
Otago Regional Council chief executive Sarah Gardner has pulled up councillors about lax mask use at its Philip Laing House offices.
Reminder after sea lions harassed
Reminder after sea lions harassed
Police are reminding people to stay away from wildlife on Dunedin beaches this summer after reports a motorcycle rider was harassing endangered New Zealand sea lions at the weekend.
ORC code of conduct not up to job, QC says
ORC code of conduct not up to job, QC says
The Otago Regional Council will review its code of conduct after an eminent Dunedin lawyer called its present version not fit for purpose.
Rescue helicopter demand at new high
Rescue helicopter demand at new high
Otago Regional Rescue Helicopters spent nearly 3000 hours in the air last year as demand for the service increased to new highs.
Councillors push back against ORC rates hike, seek cap
Councillors push back against ORC rates hike, seek cap
Otago regional councillors have pushed back against a recommended 20% rates rise next year.
Councillors vote not to replace Hobbs, salary redistributed
Councillors vote not to replace Hobbs, salary redistributed
A Green Party candidate got a look, but departed councillor Marian Hobbs will not be replaced at the Otago Regional Council before the next election.
Regional council staff targeted in central government recruitment drive, CEO says
Regional council staff targeted in central government recruitment drive, CEO says
Central government agencies with deep pockets are trying to poach Otago Regional Council staff, the council’s chief executive says.
A closer look at the Hyde fault
A closer look at the Hyde fault
University of Otago geology PhD candidate Jonathan Griffin studies the Hyde trench at the foot of the Rock and Pillar range near Dunedin.
No breach of code of conduct
No breach of code of conduct
An independent investigator has cleared Otago regional councillor Michael Laws of wrongdoing in a code of conduct complaint against him by the council chief executive.
Race is on to complete groynes
Race is on to complete groynes
Work to end six decades of erosion at an Otago Peninsula beach is nearly complete.
Classroom gives ecosystem insight
Classroom gives ecosystem insight
The University of Otago has started planting Crown land on Otago Peninsula as it creates an outdoor classroom to study native ecosystems.
Previous ORC leadership called incompetent
Previous ORC leadership called incompetent
The incompetence of the previous leadership at the Otago Regional Council has led to an outrageous burden on both farmers and conservationists, Otago Fish & Game says.
Issue of negligence raised over Lake Ohau blaze
Issue of negligence raised over Lake Ohau blaze
Insurance companies could pursue Network Waitaki if they believe the lines company is to blame for the Lake Ohau fire that destroyed 48 homes and caused an estimated $35million damage last year.