A conditional contract has been signed by a North Island buyer for the purchase of commercially zoned land just north of Oamaru owned by Japanese company Nikken Seil.
New Zealand does not need both the power schemes Meridian Energy is proposing in the South Island, Oamaru consulting engineer Ken Mitchell believes.
The latest plan to revamp State Highway 1 through central Oamaru has caught retailers and the Waitaki District Council by surprise, despite extensive consultation over the past five years since the project was first mooted.
Meridian Energy Ltd can expected a decision reasonably promptly on whether it will get water for the $900 million north bank tunnel concept power scheme it wants to build on the lower Waitaki River.
A proposal to build a $900 million power scheme on the lower Waitaki River could be a pre-emptive move by Meridian Energy Ltd to deter competitors from planning other schemes using the same water, Victoria University senior lecturer Geoff Bertram said yesterday.
State Highway 1 north and south of Oamaru remained closed by flood waters yesterday, even as North Otago started to dry out from the aftermath of this week's storms.
Extras from a "wish list" may be added to the Oamaru Opera House redevelopment now all the initial funding for the $9.7 million project has been raised by the Waitaki District Council.
Didymo is not disappearing from the lower Waitaki River, Dunedin environmental consultant Bill Chisholm told an Environment Canterbury hearings panel in Christchurch yesterday.
The Electricity Commission and Transpower do not decide what and where new electricity generation should be built, energy sector consultant Jim Truesdale said yesterday.
The electricity transmission link between the Waitaki Valley and Roxburgh will need to be upgraded even if Meridian Energy does not build a new power scheme on the lower Waitaki River, according to Transpower and an energy sector consultant.
The question of whether New Zealand needs more electricity generated by the Waitaki River could be answered in Christchurch over the next three days.
Hampden is supplying one of the keys for international scientists unlocking the mystery of climate change going back millions of years.
Unsafe and poor quality children's playgrounds mean the Waitaki District Council may have to spend more in coming years to bring them up to standard.
Over the past 13 years, Mike Stewart has had a hands-on role with many All Blacks.
Emergency work will have to be carried out on the vital North Otago coast road because of further coastal erosion - part of an overall problem that could cost the Waitaki District Council "millions rather than thousands of dollars".
The Oamaru Harbour area will benefit from projects planned by the Friendly Bay Society, a watchdog group set up last year to preserve the harbour environs.
Building a $300 million cement plant at Weston is still the preferred option for Holcim (New Zealand) Ltd, despite the latest estimate to upgrade its 50-year-old Westport plant being a third of that.
North Otago's Ranfurly Shield challenge against Auckland will be played in a festival atmosphere today, with Whitestone Contracting Stadium filled with sponsors' marquees.
Funding for the Opera House redevelopment in Oamaru has reached its target, with a grant of up to $3.73 million taking the total to about $10 million.
A boundary fence built at the blue penguin reserve between Holmes Wharf and Oamaru Creek is under threat from erosion by heavy seas over the past week.
