River flow to lower as Meridian cuts spilling
River flow to lower as Meridian cuts spilling
The Waitaki River flow is expected to fall this week as Meridian Energy Ltd reduces the amount of water being released from over-full storage lakes.
David Bruce
Recycling surplus to be spent on other projects
Recycling surplus to be spent on other projects
Part of a $400,000 surplus collected by the Waitaki District Council for a three-bin kerbside recycling service may now be spent on other projects.
Cement plant would ruin valley, expert says
Cement plant would ruin valley, expert says
A Cement plant in the Waiareka Valley would ruin what a landscape architect described as "a heritage landscape . . . potentially of national importance".
Risk to valley heritage seen
Risk to valley heritage seen
The Waiareka Valley's future lies with agricultural development and tourism, not a new cement plant, valley resident and owner of the historic Burnside Homestead, Bruce Albiston, told the Environment Court yesterday.
Environment Court to resume
Environment Court to resume
The Environment Court will have to return to Oamaru next month to finish hearing appeals against a proposal by Holcim (New Zealand) Ltd to build a cement plant in the Waiareka Valley, near Weston.
Double hit to kill lake weed
Double hit to kill lake weed
Lake weed at the top of the Ahuriri arm on Lake Benmore is to be sprayed by helicopter and boat later this month using two different chemical.
Waitaha speaks of ties to Holcim site
Waitaha speaks of ties to Holcim site
Waitaha has spoken publicly for the first time about its deep spiritual and cultural ties to the Waiareka Valley as it opposes in the Environment Court a cement plant, two quarries and a coal mine planned there.
Cement plant seen as too big for valley
Cement plant seen as too big for valley
A cement plant proposed for the Waiareka Valley is too big, and inappropriate, because of the significant potential environmental effects, a group opposing the Holcim (New Zealand) Ltd development said yesterday.
Cement plant would 'destroy family's dream'
Cement plant would 'destroy family's dream'
Residents opposed to a cement plant in the Waiareka Valley believe it would destroy its beauty and ruin the rural lifestyle and views they enjoy, one saying it would destroy her family's dream.
Court breaks to boost seating
Court breaks to boost seating
The Environment Court in Oamaru had to adjourn briefly yesterday so extra seating could be brought in to cope with the number of people wanting to hear evidence in an appeal against a cement plant being built in the Waiareka Valley.
Weed spraying to control lake growth
Weed spraying to control lake growth
Lake weed at the top of the Ahuriri arm on Lake Benmore is to be sprayed by helicopter and boat later this month using two different chemicals.
Starlight Reserve bid gets support
Starlight Reserve bid gets support
Tekapo's bid to become the world's first starlight heritage site has come another step closer with more support from United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).
Holcim buys farm land
Holcim buys farm land
Farm land in Airedale Rd near Weston has been bought by Holcim (New Zealand) Ltd to provide more raw materials for a proposed new cement plant in the Waiareka Valley.
Waitaha fears loss of heritage
Waitaha fears loss of heritage
Waitaha does not believe Ngai Tahu can protect its cultural and spiritual values in the Waiareka Valley which would be lost if a cement plant and its associated quarries were built, the Environment Court has been told.
Sense of 'inevitability' in plant proceeding
Sense of 'inevitability' in plant proceeding
Waitaha does not want a cement plant built in the Waiareka Valley, but "senses there is an inevitability of it proceeding", a Waitaha descendant, Kenneth McAnergney, told the Environment Court on Thursday.
Landscaping plan for intersection approved
Landscaping plan for intersection approved
A $52,000 landscaping plan in central Oamaru, including the newly created Boer War monument intersection, has been approved by the Waitaki District Council.
Toilet to be built at Ahuriri bridge
Toilet to be built at Ahuriri bridge
A toilet is to be built at the Ahuriri River bridge on State Highway 8, near Omarama, to resolve problems with campers using the area but having nowhere to go.
The Department of Conservation, responsible for the area, has prepared plans for the construction of a toilet with a holding tank. Work is scheduled to start early next month, weather permitting.
Elephant gets stay of execution
Elephant gets stay of execution
The Oamaru Gardens elephant has had a stay of execution, at least until a development plan for the children's playground is completed.
Cement plant site choice obvious, court told
Cement plant site choice obvious, court told
Building a cement plant, quarries and coal mine in the Waiareka Valley should be neither surprising nor unexpected, counsel for the Otago Regional and Waitaki District Councils, Alastair Logan, told the Environment Court.
Holcim rules out other plant sites
Holcim rules out other plant sites
Pekeuri and other areas in and around Oamaru have been rejected as alternatives to the Waiareka Valley, near Weston, for Holcim (New Zealand) Ltd's proposed cement plant.