Trout would 'probably' be kept out now
Trout would 'probably' be kept out now
If the decision were to be made today whether to introduce brown trout to New Zealand waters, it probably would not happen, Prof Colin Townsend says.
Rebecca Fox
Avian diphtheria hits yellow-eyed penguins
Avian diphtheria hits yellow-eyed penguins
An outbreak of avian diphtheria has hit southern Otago Peninsula yellow-eyed penguins.
Biodiversity theme for conference
Biodiversity theme for conference
Speakers from around the world are in Dunedin this week to discuss a range of topics related to biodiversity as part of the New Zealand Ecological Society annual conference.
Coast Rd bus service trial ruled out after council test
Coast Rd bus service trial ruled out after council test
The trial of a bus service along Coast Rd between Karitane and Evansdale has been ruled out by the Otago Regional Council.
Heat pump worries
Heat pump worries
People telling other people heat pumps do not heat homes in Central Otago as well as log burners is a challenge the Otago Regional Council is facing as it tries to clean up the region's air.
Staff praised for role in gaining stadium tax break
Staff praised for role in gaining stadium tax break
Otago Regional councillors have praised staff for work which could see ratepayers' contribution to Forsyth Barr Stadium effectively halved.
ORC taking meetings to other centres
ORC taking meetings to other centres
The Otago Regional Council is to hit the road, taking its meetings to other Otago centres at least twice next year.
'Hard decisions' on buses loom
'Hard decisions' on buses loom
While still struggling "to get bums on seats" in Dunedin's public buses, the Otago Regional Council is considering how to manage quality and meet customer expectations.
Flood protection bylaw review
Flood protection bylaw review
A bylaw restricting development on flood-water pathways on the lower Taieri will be put out for public consultation in March.
Wetland images shock councillor
Wetland images shock councillor
Photgraphs of damage done to a South Otago wetland are a "shocker", Otago regional councillor Michael Deaker says.
Flood protection costs reviewed
Flood protection costs reviewed
Flood hazard ratepayers on the Water of Leith and Lindsay Creek may find out in the New Year how much works to upgrade their protection will cost and when it will happen.
Doc condemns 'acts of cruelty' on Catlins wildlife
Doc condemns 'acts of cruelty' on Catlins wildlife
Several illegal attacks on endangered and protected wildlife in the Catlins recently have left a nesting yellow-eyed penguin dead and sea lions with serious injuries.
October drier than usual in most areas
October drier than usual in most areas
It was drier than usual in Otago but otherwise it was a typical spring October, consultant hydrologist Dave Stewart says.
Tax break could save ORC $10m
Tax break could save ORC $10m
An estimated $10 million tax break means the Otago Regional Council's funding for the Forsyth Barr Stadium might only cost ratepayers about $27 million.
Flood protection work set to start
Flood protection work set to start
Flood protection works in the Water of Leith could begin as early as next month on a stretch of the river in the Dunedin Botanic Garden as approval is sought for an alternate sequence of work.
Fish and Game voices concern over wetland
Fish and Game voices concern over wetland
The destruction of a wetland at the head of the Catlins River has been described by Fish and Game Otago as "bad news" for water quality, and recreational users.
ORC expects toxic algae to reappear
ORC expects toxic algae to reappear
People are being warned to be careful around streams and rivers as dropping water levels and temperature rises could see toxic algae return this summer.
Release of pet turtle condemned
Release of pet turtle condemned
The release of an exotic pet turtle into Dunedin's Botanic Garden has been labelled cruel and potentially damaging to wildlife.
Fish and Game to set out rivers policy
Fish and Game to set out rivers policy
The deteriorating condition of rivers such as the Pomahaka in West Otago has driven the Otago Fish and Game Council to take a more proactive approach to ensuring the conservation and recreational values of Otago's waterways are maintained.
Award for passion that spans 20 years
Award for passion that spans 20 years
Spectacular in flight and considered to be as important to Otago's landscape as tussock, New Zealand falcons have captured the interest of Outram man Steve Lawrence for more than two decades.