Councils

South Pacific Meats and Open Country Dairy told Invercargill City councillors this week that 31.5% water increases on top of last year’s 80% would just cripple their industry. Managers Brent Crawford and Mike Butler spoke to the Annual Plan submissions earlier this week and said they felt as

• Work to replace Invercargill Transfer Station weighbridge is expected to take about a month • Temporary traffic measures will be in place using traffic lights to guide all vehicles • Public asked to delay non-urgent rubbish drop-offs to help minimise disruption Work to upgrade the Invercargill Transfer Station will soon begin, with

A new Local Government Commission investigation is underway into the reorganisation of the four Southland councils. A proposal from the Southland District Council to create two Unitary Councils - joining with Gore to oversee regional council functions, and keeping Invercargill as a city-based one, would see  Environment Southland cut out.

Environment Southland chief executive Wilma Falconer has announced she will retire at the end of August 2025, bringing to a close nearly six years with the regional council, including three years in the top job. “Leading Environment Southland has been a privilege and immensely rewarding for me, both for the

* Gay Munro received a Community Service Award for decades of service and dedication * Her conservation work has helped preserve Southland’s environment for future generations * She also made major contributions to local heritage, education, and community initiatives Gay Munro has been officially recognised for her lifelong dedication to conservation and

* Invercargill councillors adopted the reserve management plan for Donovan Park after recent consultation * The move allows the process to begin for removing reserve status from part of the land * Only 26 submissions were received, with mixed views on potential sale and land use change Invercargill City Council has taken another

The pilot recycling bin inspection across Southland has seen hundreds of properties tagged for either low level or significant contamination. Editors note: The inspections are for the recycling bins, if in doubt put it in the red bin!We have updated the headline and story to avoid confusion. A report

A high-level appointment has been made to the committee overseeing more than $100 million of shares in Bluff’s port. Cassandra Crowley, an independent director of South Port since 2023, has been named to Environment Southland’s newly formed Investment Committee. Crowley, a Rotorua-based chartered accountant and lawyer, adds this