News/Media Releases

Southland District Council issues news releases to all local media in the district on a regular basis to keep the community informed about various issues and events.

This page displays the current releases for the past six months. Older releases can be found in Archives.

Erik Barnes new Group Manager

Thursday, 2 September 2010

Southland District Council has a new Group Manager Services and Assets...Read more.

Court case highlights need for vigilance and responsibility

Friday, 27 August 2010

A recent court case in Invercargill has highlighted the importance of being vigilant and responsible when lighting fires, Southern Rural Fire Authority principal rural fire officer Mike Grant said...Read more.

CEO's contract renewed

Friday, 27 August 2010

Southland District Council chief executive David Adamson has kept his job for another five years...Read more.

Warning for dog owners

Friday, 27 August 2010

Dog owners are being advised to ensure their dogs do not wander during lambing and calving season, Southland District Council compliance officer Paul Bell says...Read more.

Council backs retention of services

Friday, 27 August 2010

Southland District Council on Wednesday affirmed its unanimous support for the retention of neurosurgery services at Dunedin Hospital...Read more.

Forest Hill Foundation backed

Tuesday, 31 August 2010

The Forest Hill Foundation is taking concerns over its investigations into making the Forest Hill reserve a fenced predator-free zone seriously and is keen to work with all parties to resolve them...Read more.

Happy Valley Road Closure

Tuesday, 3 August 2010

Happy Valley Road will be closed today, Tuesday 3 August, for emergency work, following the collapse of a culvert. The road will be closed between Harrison Road and Whyte Road, about 12.5km from the Tuatapere end of Happy Valley Road and about 5km from the Pukemaori end. The closure is only for one day...Read more.

Annual Plan adopted

Friday, 16 July 2010

Southland District Council has adopted its 2010-2011 Annual Plan. One further change was made on Wednesday at the Council meeting to adopt the plan, with councillors voting to transition the costs of the new wastewater and water operations and maintenance contract in over two years. Council had originally planned to allocate the costs on a per connection basis this coming year, but on Wednesday agreed to transition the changes over two years. Previously costs were allocated on a scheme basis...Read more.

$1.5 million saved by Council

Friday, 16 July 2010

Southland District Council has saved about $1.5 million on estimates for two major roading contracts. Group Manager Services and Assets Cameron McIntosh said a contract for sign maintenance and a second for reseals have been awarded and the tender prices have come in considerably lower than expected. "The savings of over $1.5 million on the two contracts is good news for Council. The estimate for reseals was $5,218,500 and the winning tender was $4,462,424, a savings of $756,076. The estimate for this year's signs maintenance contract was $1.6 million and the winning tender was $885,208, a savings of $714,792," Mr McIntosh said...Read more.

$4 million from Government for cycle trail

Friday, 16 July 2010

The Government has agreed to spend $4 million on the first stage of the Around the Mountain Cycle Trail and Southland District Council will discuss the agreement at its meeting on Wednesday June 30. Venture Southland group manager community development and events Rex Capil said the Ministry of Tourism's funding committee has recommended that Council be approved to partner with funding to construct stage one of the cycle trail...Read more.

Stewart Island levy bill under way

Friday, 16 July 2010

The Southland District Council (Stewart Island Visitor Levy) Empowering Bill 2010 had its first reading in Parliament last night and now goes to the Local Government and Environment Committee. Council senior policy analyst Wayne Heerdegen said this legislation will give Council the power to set and collect a levy from visitors to Stewart Island. The levy will be used to help pay for infrastructure, services and amenities that are used by visitors...Read more.

Councillors discuss submissions to Draft Annual Plan

Thursday, 17 June 2010

The sustainability of rating increases, the roading rate, waste and wastewater contract funding and kerbside recycling were some of the key issues talked about by Southland District councillors at an extraordinary Council meeting to discuss submissions to the Draft Annual Plan...Read more.

Southland District Council (Stewart Island/Rakiura) Empowering Bill 2010

Thursday, 10 June 2010

The Southland District Council with the support of Eric Roy MP, being the Member of Parliament responsible for Stewart Island/Rakiura, is promoting legislation to enable a levy to be set and collected from visitors to Stewart Island/Rakiura. A copy of the proposed legislation is available below...Read more.

Drivers risking their lives

Friday, 4 June 2010

People are risking their lives when they remove barriers on the closed Benmore Bridge and drive over it, Southland District Council engineering manager Peter Thompson said. The bridge was closed during the floods in late April-early May and remains closed because further inspection is required to determine the stability of the bridge piles. This cannot happen until water levers have dropped further. We do not know whether the bridge is safe or not and we haven't been able to get to the piles to check them," Mr Thompson said...Read more.

Cycle way still progressing - slowly

Friday, 4 June 2010

The Around the Mountain cycle trail is still being worked on, albeit with slow progress. Southland District Council chief executive David Adamson said Venture Southland had been maintaining pressure on the Ministry of Tourism for funding. "However, we are only getting $4 million from the Government so we are going to need to stage the trail, with the first section from Walter Peak to Mossburn being created first," Mr Adamson said...Read more.

Council encourages consideration on Gypsy Day

Friday, 4 June 2010

Everyone on the road is encouraged to show consideration on Gypsy Day, June 1, Southland District Council roading engineer Rochelle Leach said. Traditionally June 1 is the first day of the new dairy farming season when a large number of stock movements take place in Southland. Ms Leach said in the past some Southland roads have been covered in waste from cows and so Council is keen to encourage both farmers and truck drivers to think about avoiding waste getting on the road...Read more.

81 submissions on Draft Annual Plan

Friday, 4 June 2010

Southland District Council has received 81 submissions to its Draft Annual Plan, with submissions covering 25 different topics. Council corporate planner Nicole Taylor said 25 of those submitters indicated they wanted to speak to their submission. "It's great to see the number of people interested in our annual plan process...Read more.

Samoan Language Week 2010

Wednesday, 12 May 2010

'O la Tatou Gagana Samoa i Nui Sila'..Read more.

Draft Annual Plan approved

Wednesday, 16 June 2010

The Southland District Council wants public feedback on issues in its Draft Annual Plan, including options for kerbside wheelie bin collection and adjustments to its roading rate model. Councillors approved the draft plan at an extraordinary Council meeting on Thursday. It is available online, and a summary document should arrive in every district mailbox by Friday, April 23. Submissions close on May 19...Read more.

Manapouri foreshore consent granted

Friday, 7 May 2010

Southland District Council has been granted resource consent to undertake some native vegetation clearing and earthworks on the Manapouri Foreshore...Read more.

One road reopened

Thursday, 6 May 2010

One road has reopened this afternoon, but two remain closed in the Central Southland area because of flooding and its after-effects...Read more.

Downer EDi new maintenance contractor

Monday, 3 May 2010

Downer EDi Water has been awarded the Southland District Council's water and wastewater operations and maintenance contract...Read more.

Update on Roading Conditions No 16 (9.30am)

Thursday, 29 April 2010

Drivers are urged to exercise extreme care on newly opened roads as they may have been damaged by flood water and debris. Some roads still remain closed. ..Read more.

Urgent notice to Tuatapere, Lumsden-Balfour and Eastern Bush Otahu Flat water users

Tuesday, 27 April 2010

Tuatapere residents are asked to urgently conserve water and to boil the water they do use until further notice...Read more.

Bridges, roads and drains under pressure from flooding

Monday, 26 April 2010

Roads and bridges around Southland are under continuing pressure from the rising floodwaters in the province...Read more.

Council keeping options open on review

Monday, 19 April 2010

Southland District Council is keeping its options open on the review of Schedule 4 of the Crown Minerals Act, which has highlighted two areas in Southland that could be investigated further for mining...Read more.

Fonterra rail resource consent approved

Monday, 19 April 2010

Fonterra's resource consent application for additional rail facilities to service its Edendale dairy processing plant has been approved by the Southland District Council's resource management committee...Read more.

Council wants feedback on contract cost allocation

Thursday, 15 April 2010

The Southland District Council wants feedback from users of its water supplies and sewerage schemes on how they want to pay for the increasing operational costs of those schemes. Council chief executive David Adamson said the water and sewerage operational contract had last been let 12 years ago, and Council is in the final stages of accepting the new contract...Read more.

New library management system

Thursday, 15 April 2010

A new library management system will go live for Southland District on April 8. District librarian Lynda Hodge said Southland District Council is part of a consortia, at this stage made up of Dunedin and Invercargill City Libraries, Southland District, and Queenstown Lakes/Central Otago District Libraries, and the group has bought the new system...Read more.

Youth initiatives at SDC

Thursday, 15 April 2010

Southland District Council will be focusing on some new youth initiatives after receiving funding from the Ministry of Youth Development. Council senior policy analyst Wayne Heerdegen said a youth forum will be held in June/July in Invercargill by the Southland, Gore and Invercargill Youth Councils...Read more.

Southland rugby supports Road Safety message

Thursday, 15 April 2010

Southland rugby clubs have partnered with Road Safety Southland in a bid to reduce drinking and driving in our community. This rugby season all Southland premier rugby players will feature the message "I don't drink-drive" on their jerseys. Road Safety Southland community advisor of road safety Jane Ballantyne said Road Safety Southland has used many innovative ways to communicate its messages but this partnership with Southland rugby clubs has to be at the top...Read more.

Mine granted resource consents

Tuesday, 30 March 2010

The Takitimu coal mine at Nightcaps has been granted resource consent for its expansion...Read more.

Large water and waste projects under way

Wednesday, 27 January 2010

Several large water and waste projects are under way in Southland District, with a value of about $3.5 million. Southland District Council project engineer Bevan McKenzie said work will begin on upgrading the Ohai-Nightcaps water supply system soon. Contracts have been let for the water main upgrade between Ohai and Nightcaps and some additional tank storage at the Nightcaps reservoir site, Mr McKenzie said...Read more.

Feedback still wanted on waste collection changes

Wednesday, 27 January 2010

Feedback is still wanted from Southland District residents about what wheelie bin system they would like. Southland District Council asset manager water and waste Ian Evans said Council is leaning towards the two-bin system - one for general rubbish and one for recycling, but nothing is set in stone yet. "We are really interested in feedback from users of the wheelie bin system. Council has been considering what number of wheelie bins should be provided and because of the cost had been thinking three bins would not be viable, but if people really want it, they need to let us know," Mr Evans said...Read more.

New online request for service

Wednesday, 27 January 2010

Southland District Council customers are now able to make a request for service online, thanks to an initiative launched in December. Customer services manager Janet Thomas said requests can be made on a diverse range of issues, from abandoned vehicles to potholes. "The online service now gives our customers another avenue to contact us."..Read more.

Bruce Halligan new Group Manager

Friday, 8 January 2010

Southland District Council's resource management manager Bruce Halligan has been appointed Council's new Group Manager Environment and Community. Mr Halligan will start the new role on 1 February 2010. The role encompasses the regulatory services group manager position, which Lindsay McKenzie has held until his retirement this week, chief executive David Adamson said. Mr Halligan will also be in charge of the libraries and area offices, and rural fire and civil defence...Read more.

Summary of submissions on proposed plan changes available

Wednesday, 26 May 2010

A summary of submissions received on the four proposed plan changes to the Southland District Plan, all relating to the Te Anau area, is now available to the public. 89 submissions were received in total, with 19 on the proposed expansion of the industrial resource area, 30 on the proposed expansion of the urban resource area, 18 on the proposed creation of a lakeside creation area and 19 on the proposed private plan change...Read more.

About turn on cycle trail funding

Thursday, 3 December 2009

Southland District Council Mayor Frana Cardno and Queenstown Lakes District Council Mayor Clive Geddes are angry at what they believe is a backdown on funding the Around the Mountain cycle trail. "We were promised substantial funding from the Government as part of the Prime Minister's national cycle way and now we are being told to save money and find other funding," Mrs Cardno said. "It is of great concern that there is this major about-turn," Mr Geddes said...Read more.

New Papatotara Coast Road opened

Tuesday, 17 November 2009

Goodwill and cooperation have been the base for the new Papatotara Coast Road, which was opened on Saturday by Deputy Prime Minister Bill English. Southland District Council Mayor Frana Cardno, who spoke on behalf of Council at the opening, said the entire project of relocating the road after storm damage would not have been possible without the cooperation of landowners, contractors, the New Zealand Transport Agency and Council...Read more.

Regional CD organisation step closer

Friday, 6 November 2009

Southland's four councils are one step closer to one shared Civil Defence organisation for the region after agreement this week by Southland's political leaders, Invercargill Mayor and Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Chairman Tim Shadbolt said today. In a joint statement, the political leaders of the region's four councils explained the merits of the proposal. Mr Shadbolt said one shared Civil Defence organisation would lead to greater efficiencies, better use of resources and more services than are currently provided by the four councils acting individually...Read more.

English visits south

Friday, 30 October 2009

Acting Prime Minister Bill English is to investigate Southland's roading issues after a meeting with representatives from Southland District Council and Federated Farmers yesterday.  Mr English said he was happy to take up the issues raised with the New Zealand Transport Agency...Read more.

Unqualified Annual Report adopted

Friday, 30 October 2009

Southland District Council has received an unqualified Audit report to its 2008-2009 Annual Report which was adopted at a meeting yesterday. Southland District Mayor Frana Cardno said she was proud to receive an unqualified audit report...Read more.

Proposed plan changes notified

Wednesday, 26 May 2010

Two question and answer sessions on four proposed plan changes to the Southland District Plan, relating to the Te Anau area, will be held in Te Anau in November. The proposed plan changes are being formally notified tomorrow (Saturday 17 October) by the Southland District Council...Read more.

Feedback sought on Curio Bay draft plan

Monday, 5 October 2009

Public comment is sought on the Curio Bay Recreation Reserve Draft Management Plan, which has just been released by the Southland District Council. Council reserves officer Leighton Hare said the plan is open for consultation for six weeks from 1 October. Copies of the plan are available for perusal at the Council area offices in Invercargill, Riverton, Otautau, Te Anau, Stewart Island, Lumsden and Wyndham. A PDF copy is also available on the Council website www.southlanddc.govt.nz..Read more.

Rock quarry granted consent

Monday, 5 October 2009

The Southland District Council has granted resource consent for a rock quarry in the Mataura Island area, after a hearing was held on 11 September. Idesia Investments Limited has been granted resource consent to take a maximum of 1,900,000 cubic metres of rock from a site at 47 Mataura Island-Fortrose Road, Mataura Island, with the consent having a maximum timeframe of 25 years, Council resource management manager Bruce Halligan said...Read more.

Council urges decision on subsidy

Monday, 5 October 2009

Southland District Council Mayor Frana Cardno is urging the Government to make a decision on the drinking water subsidy scheme and make it soon. The Government announced last week it was putting the subsidy scheme on hold again to enable a review aimed at ensuring best use of the money in the scheme, which aims to improve drinking water supplies in small communities of fewer than 5000 people...Read more.

Next steps in joint planning review process

Monday, 17 August 2009

More than 220 people attended the nine Issues and Options held in Southland in June and July as part of the initial consultation stage of the Regional Policy Statement and Southland District Plan review...Read more.

Preliminary work on cycle trail moves along

Monday, 17 August 2009

Southlanders will soon find out more detail about the Around the Mountain cycle trail...Read more.

Southern Councils pleased with cycle trail announcement

Monday, 27 July 2009

Prime Minister John Key's announcement today about seven "Quick Start" cycle trails is excellent news for Southland and Otago, southern council leaders say. The Mayors and Chair from the seven southern councils - Southland District, Queenstown-Lakes District, Central Otago District, Clutha District, Gore District, Invercargill City and Environment Southland - have worked together to promote the Around the Mountain Rail Trail and it is fantastic that the Prime Minister has included it in his "Quick Start" projects, Southland District Mayor Frana Cardno said. ..Read more.

Proposed plan changes to be notified

Thursday, 23 July 2009

Southland District Council will soon notify three proposed changes to the Te Anau section of the Southland District Plan. Resource management planner Luke McSoriley said the proposed changes follow on from the discussion document sent out to Te Anau ratepayers in June 2008...Read more.

Resurfacing contract let

Thursday, 23 July 2009

Southland District Council has let its single biggest annual roading contract for the 2009/2010 year. Southland District Council asset manager roading Russell Hawkes said the tender from Fulton Hogan Ltd of $4,943,000 excluding GST was accepted by Council's activities performance audit committee...Read more.

Council to apply for consent to clear vegetation

Thursday, 23 July 2009

Vegetation clearing on the Manapouri foreshore is on hold at the moment while the Southland District Council applies for resource consent...Read more.

Council defends response timeframes

Tuesday, 23 June 2009

Southland District Council believes its resource management response timeframes have improved markedly from the Ministry for the Environment figures released recently. Finance Minister Bill English, who is also the MP for Clutha-Southland, has criticised the Southland Council for its 73rd position in the MfE report. However, Council chief executive David Adamson said the data in the report is between 12 and 23 months old (from 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2008)...Read more.

District funding of water and sewerage postponed

Thursday, 11 June 2009

Southland District Council has postponed a proposal to fund water and sewerage district-wide, rather than by individual communities, for a year. The proposal put up in the Council's draft 10-year plan meant ratepayers on water and sewerage schemes would pay the same across the district for maintenance and renewal costs...Read more.

Councils working together

Tuesday, 2 June 2009

Planners from the Southland District Council and Environment Southland are working together on the review of two of the region's most significant planning tools - the Regional Policy Statement and the Southland District Plan. While the two documents have separate purposes, the District Plan has to give effect to provisions in the Regional Policy Statement so they are being reviewed together after each being in use for over 10 years...Read more.

Record number of submissions

Tuesday, 2 June 2009

Southland District Council has had a record number of submissions to its draft long-term plan, with 201 received. Council corporate planner Nicole Taylor said 61 of those submitters indicated they wanted to speak to their submission and that was also a record number...Read more.

Revamp for Council website

Tuesday, 2 June 2009

The Southland District Council website www.southlanddc.govt.nz[http://www.southlanddc.govt.nz/] has had a makeover. Communications manager Louise Pagan said the revamped site is now live after several months of work...Read more.

Presentation on new code planned

Thursday, 21 May 2009

Southland contractors, plumbers, engineers and utility providers are invited to a presentation this month about the new national code of practice for utilities' access to the transport corridor. Southland District Council roading manager Michael Voss said Council is preparing to implement the new code, which will replace the existing trenching bylaw and affect the subdivision and land development bylaw...Read more.

Council saddened by mill closure

Thursday, 21 May 2009

Southland District Council Mayor Frana Cardno says the closure of the Brightwood Mill in Otautau next month is a tragedy for the workers. "I am disappointed at the way it has happened. The first thing I knew about it was in the newspaper today," Mrs Cardno said. It has been a tough year for Western Southland, with this and the announcement in February that Solid Energy is closing its Ohai mine at the end of June, she said...Read more.

Winter driving campaign starts

Thursday, 30 April 2009

Winter can be a dangerous time on the roads, so Road Safety Southland, ACC and Police have combined to deliver a Winter Driving campaign starting in May. Road Safety Southland community advisor Jane Ballantyne said ice, snow, rain and poor visibility can push drivers and vehicles to their limit...Read more.

Land use consent granted to South Coast Dairy

Thursday, 14 May 2009

South Coast Dairy Ltd has been granted land-use consents by the Southland District Council for gravel extraction and building construction at its proposed dairy conversion at Curio Bay. District Council resource management manager Bruce Halligan said two land-use consents - to extract 9,000m3 of gravel and to establish and operate a dairy shed and six-bay implement shed within the coastal resource area - were granted with 27 conditions by Council...Read more.

Mayor Criticises Roading Changes

Wednesday, 8 April 2009

The Government's changes to road funding will have a significant impact on Southland, District Mayor Frana Cardno said. Under the changes announced today, regional fuel taxes are replaced with increased fuel tax and road user charges...Read more.

Council congratulates Barnes

Tuesday, 7 April 2009

Southland athlete Sarah Barnes has reached another pinnacle in her sporting career by being selected in Rowing New Zealand's elite squad for the world championships in Poland in August...Read more.

New Treatment System for Scheme

Tuesday, 7 April 2009

Southland District Council will use an innovative and new to New Zealand method to treat wastewaters from the new Edendale-Wyndham sewerage scheme...Read more.