QLDC says plan too reactive
QLDC says plan too reactive
The Queenstown Lakes District Council is opposed to the Otago Regional Council's plan change 6A designed to maintain and improve the quality of water in the province's waterways.
Water Quality
Government water policy queried
Government water policy queried
While the Government paints the state of New Zealand freshwater as a crisis, the deadline it has set for meeting water quality has been extended, Otago Regional Cr Michael Deaker says.
Plan unworkable, farmers claim
Plan unworkable, farmers claim
High-country farmers believe many of the measures in the Otago Regional Council's proposed plan change 6A designed to maintain and improve water quality will be unworkable in their farming environments.
Water rules deemed too strict
Water rules deemed too strict
Common sense must be applied to Otago Regional Council water regulations, farmers say.
Farmers bearing most of cost, hearing told
Farmers bearing most of cost, hearing told
Farmers need more time to achieve proposed discharge standards because the significant economic burden of improving water quality is falling on their shoulders alone, an Otago Regional Council hearing panel was told in Balclutha yesterday.
Authorities critical of proposed water quality plan
Authorities critical of proposed water quality plan
Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan says he "will not stand" for one set of standards for rural water quality and another set for urban.
New water rules called draconian
New water rules called draconian
From "draconian" to "giant experiment", both sides of the water quality debate expressed their view of the proposed policies yesterday.
Call for 'maverick' council to halt plan change
Call for 'maverick' council to halt plan change
A group of farmers and companies has called for the Otago Regional Council to halt its water quality plan change, saying it is behaving in a "maverick way" and against national and its own regulations.
Farmers express concerns over rules
Farmers express concerns over rules
Holding up a bottle of clear water taken from one of his drains, Taieri farmer Mike Lord has questioned the impacts of proposed changes to Otago's water quality regulations.
No significant risks from water: physician
No significant risks from water: physician
Public Health South public health physician Dr Marion Poore does not believe there are significant health risks from drinking Taieri bore water high in manganese.
Water plant opens
Water plant opens
A new water treatment plant that opened in Palmerston this week will provide top-quality drinking water for 1600 consumers in Palmerston and the surrounding districts.
Rural water cut
Rural water cut
Some rural residents in North Otago were still having to cope with closed roads and dirty drinking water yesterday because of this week's heavy rain.
Water test result shocks grower
Water test result shocks grower
Taieri horticulturist Brian Miller is shocked.
Water manager relocating
Water manager relocating
The man with the responsibility for delivering core services to Central Otago residents for the past decade says the highlight of his job was being able to do that "without a lot of fuss".
River recreational spots more affected by bacteria
River recreational spots more affected by bacteria
While the water quality at swimming sites around coastal Otago has improved, some recreational spots on rivers still showed signs of bacteria several times during summer.
Water is still not up to scratch- report
Water is still not up to scratch- report
The findings of a report on water quality in Otago highlight the need for the Otago Regional Council's planned regulation changes, councillors say.
Doubt over water plan changes
Doubt over water plan changes
Proposed changes to improve water quality in Otago are likely to have significant impacts on how the Dunedin City Council conducts its operations and manages its resources, council staff say.
Ngapara pools site checked for quality
Ngapara pools site checked for quality
The next weapon is being wheeled out in the battle for improved water quality for Alexandra.
Fonterra water quality move welcomed by ORC, ECan
Fonterra water quality move welcomed by ORC, ECan
A move by Fonterra to improve water quality in lakes, rivers and streams has been welcomed by the Otago Regional Council and Environment Canterbury.
Freshwater report 'seriously limited': Federated Farmers
Freshwater report 'seriously limited': Federated Farmers
A report by the Auditor-general on freshwater quality management by four regional councils - including Environment Southland - has been described by Federated Farmers as unhelpful and "seriously limited by its own limitations".