School toilet fire treated as arson
School toilet fire treated as arson
A fire in a toilet at Waitaki Boys' High School is being treated as arson by Oamaru police, who were called there yesterday, along with two units from the Oamaru Fire Brigade.
David Bruce
Just one chance for say on water
Just one chance for say on water
Opponents and supporters of changes in a water plan for the Waitaki River will have only one chance to put their cases, and no appeal can go to the Environment Court if they are not happy with Environment Canterbury's decisions.
Pipeline option may be selected
Pipeline option may be selected
A pipeline from Oamaru to Herbert, Hampden and Moeraki to upgrade water supplies may be selected by the Waitaki District Council, despite the communities working on an alternative and planning a public meeting to discuss options.
Precinct promotion urged
Precinct promotion urged
Tenants do not believe enough is being done to promote the Victorian Precinct in Oamaru, challenging Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust chairman Peter Garvan's assertion it does ''more than .. 95% of landlords'' in New Zealand.
Two new trust members
Two new trust members
Two new members have been elected to the Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust board, but one appointed last year missed out.
Interest in legal highs policy
Interest in legal highs policy
A last-minute burst of interest has boosted to 28 the number of submissions received on the Waitaki District Council's draft legal highs sale policy.
Trust defends relationship with tenants
Trust defends relationship with tenants
The Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust, which owns and leases out heritage buildings, has defended its relationship with its tenants, saying it does more marketing for them than 95% of landlords in New Zealand.
Few comment on legal high policy
Few comment on legal high policy
The Waitaki District Council's efforts to draw up a legal highs policyhave failed to fire up people to comment on whether they agree with it, despite the controversy when outlets existed in Oamaru.
Surplus by provider of health services
Surplus by provider of health services
A small surplus for the first six months of this financial year has been achieved by Waitaki District Health Services Ltd in providing health services for the Waitaki district and operating the Oamaru Hospital.
Taking keys not advised
Taking keys not advised
Police are urging motorists not to take matters into their own hands, in the wake of the latest removal of car keys from people allegedly driving dangerously.
Garden houses native plant initiative
Garden houses native plant initiative
An unused glasshouse at the Oamaru Public Gardens has been given a new lease of life in a community venture by the Waitaki branch of Royal Forest and Bird and the Oamaru Natural Heritage Society.
Health service split aired
Health service split aired
Waitaki's health service is pondering a split from the financially troubled Southern District Health Board.
CCTV system working next month
CCTV system working next month
A two-year process to put closed-circuit television security cameras in Oamaru is nearing an end, Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher says.
CCTV coming to town
CCTV coming to town
Closed circuit security television could be operating on Oamaru streets by the end of next month.
Pedestrian crossing lights raise issues
Pedestrian crossing lights raise issues
New pedestrian crossing lights in north Oamaru have received mixed reviews, pedestrians praising them while others have criticised side effects.
Total rates rise pared back
Total rates rise pared back
A total rates rise of 1.7% is being considered by the Waitaki District Council for next financial year after expenditure was pruned back yesterday.
Plan to future proof culture
Plan to future proof culture
A $4.5 million redevelopment of the Forrester Gallery to house the North Otago Museum and Archives will depend on about $3 million coming from somewhere other than the coffers of the Waitaki District Council and its ratepayers.
District councillor resigns in frustration with practices
District councillor resigns in frustration with practices
A Waimate district councillor has suddenly resigned, frustrated by what he sees as a lack of accountability in some areas, and believing he can achieve more outside the council than inside.
Camping ground plan outcry
Camping ground plan outcry
An outcry over a proposal to lease out Waitaki lakes camping grounds could lead to ''significant changes'' to a draft management plan.
Move penguins to a safer area: advocate
Move penguins to a safer area: advocate
A long-time advocate for Oamaru's blue penguins says relocating the birds may be the best way to deal with the issue of keen visitors causing problems near their nesting area.