Debbie Porteous

Any plans for a roofed stadium in Christchurch were far from certain and likely to be at least 10 years away, Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull says.

A Dunedin Swim Coaching Board is expected to be in place by October 1.

A new, veritable palace of a dog pound will open at Westwood, near Dunedin, next month, replacing the city's pound at the SPCA in Opoho.

Dunedin City Council staff are to meet the company it believes responsible for a failed ramp and steps on the sea wall at St Clair, optimistic a settlement can be negotiated this month.

Extensive consultation on a draft social wellbeing strategy for Dunedin will begin early next month.

The Dunedin City Council is working towards closing a deal on Carisbrook before Christmas.

Being forced to spend $600,000 to make perfectly good water comply with national standards while the Government criticises councils for overspending illustrates the contradiction of proposed local government reforms, Dunedin city councillors say.

Dunedin's swimming community will meet today to discuss future plans after the Dunedin City Council agreed a Dunedin swim coaching board be established to oversee coaching services at Moana Pool.

A group of farmers has gained the Dunedin City Council's support to undertake a pre-feasibility study on using water otherwise wasted from the town supply to irrigate their farms, despite council staff being opposed to the idea.

One of the people opposing a boarding kennel near Mosgiel has invited a council hearings committee considering whether to grant consent for the kennel, to stay on his farm for a night to experience what it is like to live with "incessant" barking day and night.

A group of Rocklands and Hindon farmers is seeking support to investigate using surplus water from Dunedin's town supply for farm irrigation.

Those undertaking major upgrades on two historic Dunedin churches say it is possible for parishes and community groups to upgrade their buildings, with some drive and a little "bloody-mindedness".