Rebecca Fox

Rex Haig is worn out.

The Dunedin City Council is seeking broad-coverage resource consents from the Otago Regional Council for routine maintenance work in an effort to save $50,000 to $100,000 from its roading department's budget.

The Department of Conservation's decision to accept $175,000 from Meridian Energy - if the Project Hayes wind farm project goes ahead - is "pragmatic" and saves wasting money in the Environment Court, a rival company says.

For the first time in four years, the Bike Wise Mayoral Challenge required sunscreen rather than winter woollies, much to the enjoyment of its main participants.

Playing to a crowd of families and young people enjoying the sun at the Lions Lark in the Park yesterday, young Dunedin musician Mitchell Smith lapped up the atmosphere.

Orokonui Ecosanctuary's hopes of achieving an environmental Green Star 5 rating became visible this week, as the two former shipping containers, which will form the basis of its new visitor centre, were lifted in to place.

Concerns about conservation management plans locking film-makers out of national parks has led Film Otago Southland to appeal to the Otago Conservation Board for the industry and environmental organisations to "work together".

The Otago Stadium received further conditional approval yesterday, with the Otago Regional Council confirming its $37.5 million funding for the project in front of about 30 heckling opponents.

Otago regional councillors are giving little away on the eve of making a decision on whether or not the council will contribute $37.5 million to Otago Stadium.

Otago regional councillors need to be "generally satisfied" as to the "overall viability and achievability" of Otago Stadium when they make their decision whether or not to fund the Otago Stadium at an extraordinary meeting tomorrow, chief executive Graeme Martin has advised.

Air New Zealand's suspension of the Dunedin-Sydney service from April will have a severe impact on Dunedin International Airport, according to airport chairman Richard Walls.

Information relating to the "guaranteed maximum price" of the Otago Stadium was expected to have been delivered to the Otago Regional Council yesterday.