Rebecca Fox

A warm summer meant interest in insulation and clean heating appliances dropped off but a few cold nights has turned things around.

Healthy mohua (yellowhead) numbers and a partial beech tree mast have left the Department of Conservation in a quandary on the need for pest control on its land in the Catlins.

Ways to help farmers improve poor water quality in the Pomahaka River area will soon be investigated with the start of a new catchment project.

A salmon's trek up the Water of Leith to spawn has been stopped for the good of the Otago Harbour fishery.

Creating a student discount fare for Dunedin's bus service will go a long way to increasing use of the public transport service, student representatives say.

Inspections for pest plant old man's beard, on Dunedin properties where it was not controlled last year, have discovered a 30% improvement. The Otago Regional Council has been inspecting properties with a history of the plant infestation in Dunedin, Central Otago and the Lakes District.

A change in the way elected members of councils are paid means Otago regional councillors will not face a drop in pay when their numbers increase in this year's local body elections.

Space ships, smoke and rockets are not usual sights at Dunedin's annual model train show but this year Mosgiel's Justin Cockroft decided to shake things up.

Under the Department of Conservation's new structure, the Otago region disappears and 16 positions will be lost - five fewer than first proposed.

A Port Chalmers sea cadet forces officer has gained the New Zealand Cadet Forces highest rank of lieutenant-commander.

A female takahe has been released at Orokonui Ecosanctuary to keep its resident male company.

The goal of creating less crowded working spaces for staff should not be lost by the Otago Regional Council, as it settles into its new meeting rooms, Cr Michael Deaker says.

Continuing to dump dredged spoil from Otago Harbour's shipping channel at existing sites will not negatively affect the protected nationally significant surfing breaks at Aramoana and Whareakeake, Port Otago specialists say.

A shortage of water meter installers and qualified hydrologists in Otago is making it harder for landowners to meet new regulations.

Otago freshwater scientists back the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment's call for a ban on commercial fishing of longfin eels.