Any contamination of Otago's inshore coastal environment as a result of harbour dredge dumping is highly unlikely but could be of high impact if it does occur, Environment Court judge Jeff Smith says.
A Dunedin scientist has received a national award for research which increased understanding of the risks faced by some of New Zealand's threatened species.
Otago is likely to be face a cooler, drier summer.
Port Otago has proposed three monitoring sites be established to track sedimentation movement as a result of it dumping dredged spoil off Dunedin's shores, in an effort to protect the coastal environment.
Fine silt from Port Otago's off-shore dumping could have a "disastrous" effect on the coastal kelp forests on which rock lobster, paua and kina rely on for survival, Otago fishing interests say.
A major redevelopment of the rear of the Harvest Court Mall in Dunedin could start as early as next March.
Otago Regional Council's approach to water quality and allocation has been validated by the latest Land and Water Forum report, chairman Stephen Woodhead says.
Two Dunedin girls are on a mission to give youth a voice.
Neglect is the real issue, not the headline-grabbing abuse cases the Government is trying to address through its white paper proposals, a Dunedin family lawyer says.
Photo by Jane Dawber.
Travellers Dean Chytraus (left) and Ben Sarten have a beer with (from left) Otago Regional Council chairman Stephen Woodhead and Otago's mayors, Alex Familton (Waitaki), Tony Lepper (Central Otago), Dave Cull (Dunedin), Vanessa van Uden (Queenstown Lakes) and Bryan Cadogan (Clutha).
Mr Chytraus, who comes from Salt Lake City, in Utah, and Ben Sarten, of Taranaki, are winners of Arrival
Promoting better certainty of supply and use of the Clutha and Lindis Rivers' water resources are two reasons the Otago Regional Council is considering investing in the Tarras irrigation project.
The deaths of four Otago sea lions in the past 12 months show how precarious the situation of the developing population is, New Zealand Sea Lion Trust spokesman Shaun McConkey says.
Otago primary principals Sally Direen and Richard Newton were honoured yesterday for their collective 44 years of leadership in schools
Otago residents who forgot to pay their Otago Regional Council rates will have to pay a penalty earlier than in the past.
Walkways on either side of the Water of the Leith, from the Leith St footbridge to Forth St, will be closed to the public for the next few months.
Otago's regional council neighbours have been challenged by an Australian resource management specialist to justify why they are not following this region's example when dealing with water quality.
Challenges to Port Otago's proposal to dump dredge material at a new open-sea disposal site will be heard over two weeks in the Environment Court in Dunedin starting on November 16.
Being able to swim, drink and collect food from Otago's rivers and streams is a target everyone agrees with, but how that is achieved has been up for debate. Rebecca Fox takes a look at the varying views expressed during a month-long hearing into proposed regulations aimed at improving and maintaining water quality.
Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull might not have been near a racecourse in 40 years but it did not show when he raised his hand in triumph as he sped around Forbury Park racetrack during a celebrity dual-sulky race last night.
The ability of New Zealand's freshwater ecosystems to cope with land use intensification will be debated at a national conference in Dunedin.
