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Council decides against catchment analysis
Otago regional councillors have decided against a proposed review of the Waitaki River’s management.
Hamish MacLean
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Exemption granted for bike racks
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Exemption granted for bike racks
An official exemption has been granted, but the end to Otago’s ban on using bike racks on buses has not seen daylight just yet.
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Councillors divided over handling water issues
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Councillors divided over handling water issues
One regional councillor says seeking legislative changes to address gaps in Otago’s water plan is a "terrible solution".
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Draft 10-year public transport plan ‘quite progressive’
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Draft 10-year public transport plan ‘quite progressive’
Otago's blueprint for public transport remains "quite progressive" despite central government driving in the other direction, a regional councillor says.
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Aurora to assess its resilience
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Aurora to assess its resilience
Aurora Energy says it will soon begin its own analysis to see how climate change could affect its network.
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Insurance flood cover not a given in South Dunedin
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Insurance flood cover not a given in South Dunedin
Insurance companies have warned if nothing is done to improve South Dunedin’s increasing flood risk some property owners could find coverage becomes unavailable.
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ORC to continue investment
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ORC to continue investment
Despite concern from some councillors, the Otago Regional Council will continue to invest in Rio Tinto for now rather than "cherry-picking" the companies in its portfolio.
Queenstown Lakes residents sick of ‘hopium’
Queenstown Lakes residents sick of ‘hopium’
Queenstown Lakes residents are wary of proposals providing a false sense of hope in the face of ongoing pressure as the fastest-growing district in Otago, a regional councillor says.
Kākā set to remain at Garden aviary
Kākā set to remain at Garden aviary
A captive kākā at the centre of a battle between the Department of Conservation (Doc) and the bird’s longtime carers will stay in Dunedin, it has been confirmed.
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‘Reasonably likely’ toxic liquid entering stream
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‘Reasonably likely’ toxic liquid entering stream
Environmental monitoring at the Green Island landfill is not up to the task of determining whether toxic liquid is seeping into nearby waterways, an ORC's senior consents planner says.
Regional deal could result in gondola going ahead
Regional deal could result in gondola going ahead
Public transport by gondola could be part-funded by visitor levies in Queenstown if a regional deal is approved by government.
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Inspector had walk through effluent at troubled Queenstown plant
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Inspector had walk through effluent at troubled Queenstown plant
An investigator has described wading through a river of effluent in her gumboots in a dossier of evidence damning the state of a failing Queenstown wastewater treatment plant.
Freshwater plan: ORC councillor resigns after govt steps in
Freshwater plan: ORC councillor resigns after govt steps in
A long-time Otago regional councillor has resigned in protest after the govt moved this week to stop the council from voting on its plan to protect the environment.
From Dunedin to the Gold Coast
Dunedin to the Gold Coast: Jetstar flights to Aussie return to the south
Flights to and from the Gold Coast will take off from Dunedin Airport next winter.
CDC looking into buying: land: mayor
CDC looking into 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.
Dam safety regulations ‘sensible’
Dam safety regulations ‘sensible’
The number of dams across Otago that could need a new "potential impact classification" shows how sensible recent changes to dam safety regulations were, an Otago sheep and beef farmer says.
Record number of sea lion pups
Record number of sea lion pups
Department of Conservation staff ran out of microchips as sea lion pup numbers exceeded all expectations in New Zealand's wildlife capital this year.
iPhone calls cops on Mosgiel drunk driver
iPhone calls cops on Mosgiel drunk driver
A Mosgiel driver abused police when his smartphone dobbed him in after he crashed into a ditch under the influence of alcohol, police say.
‘Highways in the sky’ lauded
‘Highways in the sky’ lauded
The improving network of "highways in the sky" made it possible for the Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Trust to fly more than 2000 missions last year.
Car thief rams police and flees on motorway
Car thief rams police and flees on motorway
The driver of a stolen car rammed a police vehicle and then fled by driving the wrong way on the motorway early this morning, police say.