Rio Tinto pledges to clean up
Rio Tinto pledges to clean up
Mining giant Rio Tinto has pledged millions in environmental remediation work in the South as southern leaders say the company is trying to clean up its image.
Hamish MacLean
Appeal for rating to reward biodiversity enhancements
Appeal for rating to reward biodiversity enhancements
Biodiversity projects’ benefits are shared by everyone, but the costs are paid by landowners, Otokia Creek and Marsh Habitat Trust treasurer Viktoria Kahui says.
Fear over loss of science adviser
Fear over loss of science adviser
Two Otago Peninsula motels went under during the pandemic and without yellow-eyed penguins drawing in visitors more could be lost, Otago Peninsula Community Board chairman Paul Pope says.
Proposal to expand predator control work
Proposal to expand predator control work
Predator control work could expand by more than 30,000ha north of Dunedin with the help of the Otago Regional Council.
Lack of funding for Leith work came as a surprise
Lack of funding for Leith work came as a surprise
Plans to turn the Water of Leith in Dunedin’s tertiary precinct into a natural stream never had the financial backing of the Otago Regional Council.
Water plan, rates draw farmers’ ire
Water plan, rates draw farmers’ ire
Court costs for water plan changes at the Environment Court could easily run into the millions and should be paid from Otago Regional Council reserves, Federated Farmers says.
Consent fee waiver request for projects
Consent fee waiver request for projects
The group that disputed escalating consent costs for the restoration of Waipahi Wetland in South Otago has now asked the ORC to give its staff the ability to waive consent fees for environmentally friendly projects.
Air quality work urged
Air quality work urged
The Southern District Health Board has urged the Otago Regional Council to reconsider the proposed pause of its air quality work.
Fiordland Guardians want co-operative strategy to combat marine pests
Fiordland Guardians want co-operative strategy to combat marine pests
A multi-region effort is needed to protect the southern coast from pests that are “just one boat ride away”.
University defends cost-saving measures
University defends cost-saving measures
Promises of millions in savings at the University of Otago have been thrown into doubt as staff numbers balloon in a division set up as part of controversial restructuring.
University council votes to join carbon alliance
University council votes to join carbon alliance
The University of Otago has agreed to join Dunedin’s Zero Carbon 2030 Alliance, at a closed-door session of the university council.
Lake polluters should pay, group says
Lake polluters should pay, group says
Polluters should pay for the mess they make in lakes, not those who suffer the consequences, an environmental group says.
30 international students returned, 50 on way
30 international students returned, 50 on way
About 30 returning international students have arrived at the University of Otago this year and another 50 are on their way.
Trust to decide sports hall of fame future
Trust to decide sports hall of fame future
Any possible relocation of the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame will be decided by the trust that runs the Dunedin institution, Sport New Zealand says.
School of video games proposed for city
School of video games proposed for city
Dunedin could become the epicentre of video game development if an Otago Polytechnic plan gets off the ground.
Consent costs dispute resolved
Consent costs dispute resolved
Unexpected and mounting costs for consents to create an environmental showpiece in South Otago led to a lengthy spat between the Otago Regional Council and the Pomahaka Water Care Group — but both...
Environment survey ahead
Environment survey ahead
Otago residents will be canvassed about their environmental priorities and their expectations of the Otago Regional Council as it moves to better understand the people it serves.
Consider air quality in new rules: ORC
Consider air quality in new rules: ORC
Climatic differences and air quality concerns should influence proposed new insulation standards in New Zealand homes, says the Otago Regional Council.
Top-down national policy’s freshwater protections enshrined in regional plan
Top-down national policy’s freshwater protections enshrined in regional plan
New provisions protecting natural inland wetlands, rivers and fish passages are now enshrined in the Otago Regional Council’s Water for Otago regional plan.
Chch move for Sports Hall of Fame hinted at
Chch move for Sports Hall of Fame hinted at
Sport New Zealand appears to be considering shifting the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame from Dunedin to Christchurch.