Groundwater tests from the Colac Bay/Ōraka area where there is a closed landfill have not raised any major concerns. Southland District Council organised the testing for the land, which is owned by the Oraka Aparima runanga, as part of work being done to investigate old landfills throughout the dist
With a wet week behind us and the promise of more rain to come, Invercargill City Council is lifting its unattended domestic hosing and sprinkler ban. Restrictions were put in place on Saturday, 19 March when the Ōreti River flow, which had been in the low range since December 2021, dropped to just
New Zealand’s Aluminium Smelter (NZAS) has today released the findings of its Preliminary Closure Study, outlining for the Southland community the detailed work that will take place to remediate the site as part of any future closure. NZAS Chief Executive and General Manager Chris Blenkiron commente
The Water Shortage Direction put in place two weeks ago to halt irrigation in the region will expire tonight. Following a review today, Environment Southland will not extend this. The Direction was issued on 31 March. It was aimed at protecting the extremely low river and aquifer levels in Southland
Environment Southland has begun consultation on a proposed plan change to the Regional Coastal Plan which will see temporary new measures put in place on commercial surface water activities in Fiordland. The increasing pressure these activities are having on the highly valued Ata Whenua Fiordland ar
The Water Shortage Direction issued yesterday has been amended to exclude the water takes from the upper Mataura River catchment where the serious temporary shortage of water is less critical, at this time. The area that is being excluded from the water shortage direction is the part of the Mataura
Environment Southland has taken the unprecedented step of issuing a Water Shortage Direction covering the whole of Southland. The direction, which will initially be in place for 14 days, directs that irrigation water takes are required to cease immediately. Environment Southland chief executive Rob
All of the Southland District is now in a prohibited fire season, effective as at 6am Tuesday 29 March. This means there is a total fire ban in Southland, and all permits are suspended until further notice. Southland District Manager, Julian Tohiariki says the extended dry weather conditions, curren
