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ORC criticised for environmental stance
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ORC criticised for environmental stance
An independent panel has accused the Otago Regional Council of putting the protection of the environment ahead of "enabling" food growing.
Hamish MacLean
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Regional leaders urged to prioritise projects for funding
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Regional leaders urged to prioritise projects for funding
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones is calling on Southern leaders to band together as they seek a share of the government’s new $1.2 billion Regional Infrastructure Fund.
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ORC may seek costs following plan chaos
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ORC may seek costs following plan chaos
The Otago Regional Council is considering asking central government to pay costs after blaming it for the "Alice in Wonderland legal scenario" it faced.
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Overarching regional policy statement notified
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Overarching regional policy statement notified
The Otago Regional Council notified its regional policy statement (RPS) at the weekend after voting on 32 recommendations from an independent hearings panel with the public excluded last week.
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Bottle store's licence renewal opposed
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Bottle store's licence renewal opposed
A bottle store in Mosgiel that has operated for more than 20 years could lose its licence if police and others get their way.
Labour MPs back ORC over decision to notify plan
Labour MPs back ORC over decision to notify plan
Dunedin Labour MPs are backing the Otago Regional Council after it "has been put in an impossible position" by Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and the National-led government.
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Small dams to avoid ‘unreasonable’ costs
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Small dams to avoid ‘unreasonable’ costs
Changes to incoming dam safety regulations mean small dams will not be subject to "unreasonable" compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says.
Ferrets kill at least 21 tītī chicks at colony
Ferrets kill at least 21 tītī chicks at colony
Three ferrets have slipped through an extensive trap network and killed at least 21 tītī chicks and two adults at an Otago Peninsula colony.
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Decision by ORC angers farmers
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Decision by ORC angers farmers
Federated Farmers is calling on the government to "do more to stop councils" after the ORC voted to notify its land and water plan ahead of a timeline laid out by the Environment Minister.
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ORC opts for 4-month plan delay
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ORC opts for 4-month plan delay
In a 7-5 vote, the Otago Regional Council has decided to delay notification of its land and water plan until October 31.
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Port being asked for millions in dividends to offset rates
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Port being asked for millions in dividends to offset rates
The Otago Regional Council is asking Port Otago to pay nearly $60 million in dividends over the next three years to offset rates.
Geomagnetic storm gives chance to observe auroras
Geomagnetic storm gives chance to observe auroras
The most powerful geomagnetic storm in the past seven years has lit up New Zealand’s night sky.
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ORC delay falls short of request
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ORC delay falls short of request
Otago Regional Council staff are recommending a brief delay to the notification of the council’s contentious land and water plan.
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Fast-track Approvals Bill worries Greens
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Fast-track Approvals Bill worries Greens
Concerns government ministers are handing themselves "superpowers" have been raised after Resources Minister Shane Jones visited a site tipped to be a major new Central Otago gold mine.
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Farmers hit with low prices, rising costs
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Farmers hit with low prices, rising costs
Drought-stricken farmers are facing a long winter and a "double-whammy" as rising costs and low product prices are compounded by this year’s dry conditions.
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Jones visits site of planned Central Otago gold mine
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Jones visits site of planned Central Otago gold mine
Resources Minister Shane Jones has visited the site of a planned Central Otago gold mine amid speculation the huge project is in line to be fast-tracked.
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New site urged for air monitor
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New site urged for air monitor
The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) says Alexandra’s air quality monitoring station should be moved after it was found to be outside the most polluted part of town.
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ORC accused of burying 'embarrassing' rates rise
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ORC accused of burying 'embarrassing' rates rise
Cr Michael Laws says the ORC has buried its looming big rates rise at the back of a report "because we are embarrassed by it".
Weka wanders into student flat
Weka wanders into student flat
A weka has wandered into a student flat in Dunedin this afternoon after earlier being seen on the University of Otago campus.
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Water plan workshop ‘irrelevant’
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Water plan workshop ‘irrelevant’
The Otago Regional Council is walking a "delicate tightrope", its chairwoman says.