David Loughrey

Fee increases of up to almost 30% for some directors of Dunedin City Council companies are expected to be rubber-stamped next week

Protagonists on both sides of the bitterly-disputed Lovelock Ave debate have returned to their corners, and now await the judges' decision.

Funding for upgrades of roads, footpaths and street signs off the site of the planned Otago Stadium has not been taken into account, the latest report on the project says.

A new peer review has been set up to look at conflicts of interest within Dunedin's stadium project, and another review will check its design includes everything needed to ensure operating revenue if it is built.

Heavenly harmonies filled a mostly full Knox Church yesterday, providing a fitting tribute to the Dunedin Star Singers' musical director Dulcie Gunn.

Otago blew Southland off the park on Saturday, with both the senior and under-18 sides victorious 100 years after the provinces first crossed swords.

It has cost $240,000, and taken eight months and four days, but for commuters who park in the harbourside area of Dunedin, the wait is finally over.

Dunedin's stadium project has a new name, and the Carisbrook Stadium Trust is about to start a marketing blitz to raise the rest of the private sector funding it needs to build the facility.

As a rental opportunity, the property near the corner of Maori Rd and Serpentine Ave has some unusual qualities.

There may be six degrees of separation in many parts of the world, but in Dunedin, there appears to be none at all. Dunedin City Council reporter David Loughrey considers the complex web of relationships between major players in city projects. He asks whether it is possible to do business in Dunedin without having some sort of conflict of interest, and at what point it is time to step aside.

The Otago Rugby Football Union has responded to criticism it has fallen quiet on the Awatea St stadium, with chief executive Richard Reid saying the organisation is "right behind" the project.

An insecticide the Green Party has described as "highly toxic'' – banned in 50 countries – is still being used on two of Dunedin's premier sports venues.

Three Dunedin city councillors who have led recent opposition to the Awatea St stadium have changed tack, deciding to work with the project after failing to convince their peers.