Praise for tidy 'true' war graves
Praise for tidy 'true' war graves
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission vice-chairman has made a whistle-stop tour of the South Island's war graves.
Rebecca Fox
No other NZ region has full rabbit-control capability - Martin
No other NZ region has full rabbit-control capability - Martin
Concern the Otago Regional Council's rabbit-control expertise is being lost is unfounded, council staff say.
Biodiversity policy 'crock'
Biodiversity policy 'crock'
Otago Regional Council chairman Stephen Woodhead has called the Government's proposed national policy statement on indigenous biodiversity a "crock" as the council prepares a submission opposing it.
Last days for submissions
Last days for submissions
With only two days until the close of submissions for the Otago Regional Council's draft annual plan, fewer than 50 submissions have been received.
Pact soon on shelter designs
Pact soon on shelter designs
The design of Dunedin's bus shelters will soon be debated again as the Otago Regional Council and the Dunedin City Council work towards an agreement.
'Inspiring' buildings recognised
'Inspiring' buildings recognised
Orokonui Ecosanctuary's visitor centre has been described as an "inspirational example of sustainable architecture" by the 2011 New Zealand Architecture Awards jury.
Air pollution spikes in Dunedin exceeded standards: report
Air pollution spikes in Dunedin exceeded standards: report
Air pollution levels in Dunedin spiked with hourly recordings reaching a high of 205mcg per cubic metre of air on April 11.
Grant Port Otago consents: ORC
Grant Port Otago consents: ORC
The Otago Regional Council has upheld its recommendation that Port Otago's dredging and disposal consents be granted but it has suggested amendments and added conditions to ensure its effects are more tightly controlled, Otago Regional Council senior resource officer Suzanne Watt says.
Surf break threat feared
Surf break threat feared
The effects on Aramoana's nationally protected surf breaks and on homes around Port Otago dominated the final submissions heard on the port company's proposed channel deepening and widening project.
Hundreds at backyard festival
Hundreds at backyard festival
Oleh (Oli Cameron) performs at Feastock 2011 in Fea St, Pine Hill, on Saturday.
Sweet deal - butterfly finds a home
Sweet deal - butterfly finds a home
Being asked if you want to feed the butterfly is a slightly unexpected invitation, especially when visiting a suburban Dunedin home.
Looking for views
Looking for views
An early "dribble" of submissions to the Otago Regional Council's draft annual plan has come in, but staff members are expecting a late "torrent" next week.
Doc drops opposition to dredging harbour
Doc drops opposition to dredging harbour
In a turnaround, the Director-general of Conservation has dropped his opposition to Port Otago's Project Next Generation, saying his concerns have been resolved.
Careys Bay residents say noise will be worse
Careys Bay residents say noise will be worse
Their lack of success in getting Port Otago to deal with noise complaints has led Careys Bay residents to believe the Next Generation Project will only make things worse, especially the proposed multipurpose wharf extension.
Call for $15m-$20m port dredge-soil bond
Call for $15m-$20m port dredge-soil bond
Port Otago should be made to pay a "huge bond" of $15 million to $20 million to runanga to monitor the impact of the disposal of soil 10km away from the East Otago taiapure (coastal patch) to suit "the people, not the applicant", Kati Huriapa Runanga ki Puketeraki upoko David Ellison says.
Runanga stress site's importance
Runanga stress site's importance
It is completely "unthinkable" customary food gathering and kai moana (food from the sea) assets of Otago's coast be put in jeopardy, diminished or destroyed as a result of Port Otago's proposed dredging and disposal project, Kati Huirapa Runanga ki Puketeraki chairman Matapura Ellison says.
Ecological data lacking, critics tell hearing
Ecological data lacking, critics tell hearing
A lack of good, solid information on the effects of Port Otago's proposed channel widening or deepening is concerning those who live and fish in, and care for, the area's environment.
Seeing for themselves
Seeing for themselves
The independent panel hearing the Port Otago Project Next Generation resource consent applications were shown around the port yesterday.
Adverse ecological effect 'unavoidable'
Adverse ecological effect 'unavoidable'
An adverse effect on marine ecology from the disposal of large volumes of spoil could not be avoided by Port Otago's proposed channel deepening and widening project, aquatic ecologist Dr Mark James says.
Loss of fisheries habitat 'minor'
Loss of fisheries habitat 'minor'
The loss of fisheries habitat, cockle habitat in particular, within Otago Harbour would be minor as a result of Port Otago's proposed Project Next Generation, consultant fisheries scientist Richard Boyd says.