The Otago Regional Council has decided it will appeal to the Conservation and Environment Ministers to amend the water conservation order on the Kawarau River to allow its planned flood-protection works to go ahead.
Two Otago regional councillors have questioned the appropriateness of chairman Stephen Cairns carrying out both chairmanship and real estate roles, in a process a third councillor later called a "kangaroo court" while another dubbed it "despicable".
Sitting at the dinner table, 5-year-old Grace Hughes has a plate of food in front of her. She even loads her fork, but it is all pretend.
What action the Otago Regional Council should take in light of a decision to turn down resource consents for a proposed flood protection training line on the Shotover Delta will be decided at a council meeting today.
An eight-step plan for selecting a site for the Otago Regional Council's headquarters has been outlined for councillors to consider tomorrow.
The Otago Regional Council's first payment towards the Forsyth Barr Stadium, due on August 1, has been delayed while "trustee responsibility" for regional ratepayers funds is "explored and optimised".
Maniototo water take consent holders who are significantly non-compliant could face enforcement action if they do not meet their conditions by their next Otago Regional Council inspection.
Yellow-eyed penguins are nesting in greater number at Sandfly Bay, giving the Department of Conservation hope its programmes to reduce human impact on the endangered species are working.
Despite investigations by Massey University wildlife scientists, mystery still surrounds the cause of the skull deformities in endangered yellow-eyed penguins at Okia Reserve and the deaths of penguins from other Otago Peninsula beaches last summer.
A process to develop marine protected areas around New Zealand is moving too slowly for the Otago Conservation Board.
"Tinkering" with restrictions on groundwater levels has been suggested for the lower Taieri basin which could protect flows in the Silver Stream and reduce the need for drainage system pumping.
It is "inevitable" a third councillor will be needed in the Otago Regional Council constituency of Dunstan to help represent the fastest growing part of Otago, Cr Michael Deaker says.
They may only be small things, but in the Turner family hearing son Caleb laugh, clap his hands or even cry is "priceless".
Mosgiel may not experience as many days of high air pollution as some Central Otago towns but residents still need to be aware of the issue, the Otago Regional Council says.
Insulation companies are hiring during a tough recession due to the effect of the Government's subsidised plan to make New Zealand's houses more energy efficient.
Efforts to eradicate the aquatic weed pest lagarosiphon from Lake Wakatipu have been successful, but authorities will remain vigilant about a return of the weed.
The Otago Regional Council may appeal to government ministers in an effort to change a conservation order, after a significant part of the resource consent applications for Shotover Delta flood protection work was turned down.
It is unlikely work on Dunedin's Leith Lindsay flood protection scheme will begin before the summer of 2010-11.
Otago Regional Council staff have been asked to look into the tax implications of the payments the council is making towards the Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Dealing with children who have great expectations of the latest in technology, clothes, holidays and sports equipment can be a difficult challenge for parents in tough economic times.
