Latest news with #ORC
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Effluent issue unresolved
The Shotover wastewater treatment plant has now discharged the equivalent of about 400 Olympic-sized swimming pools of effluent into the Shotover River and the consideration of its effects has yet to be assessed. The Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) applied for retrospective resource consent from the Otago Regional Council (ORC) for its emergency measures, but the application has yet to be notified and no hearing date has been set. When the QLDC began its "short-term solution" on March 31 it said it was discharging about 12,000cum of wastewater a day, or the equivalent of just under five Olympic-sized swimming pools. That was 81 days ago. The ORC has said under the Resource Management Act its staff need to confirm the application is complete, decide if further information is needed and make a formal notification decision, despite the QLDC's request the application be publicly notified. Regular sampling is done so any impacts on the Shotover and Kawarau Rivers can be monitored and the data is publicly available. But the ORC website confirms "questions have been raised about the impact of the discharge on the Shotover and Kawarau Rivers and what role dilution plays". "Any decision on if this discharge is appropriate and on effects moving forward will be assessed through any consents and compliance processes." University of Otago freshwater scientist Associate Prof Marc Schallenberg said the issues raised were interesting, but warned as well the discharge was "risky business". "This is a very interesting topic," Prof Schallenberg said. "One of the reasons it is interesting is that almost nothing is known about the ecological health of large rivers like the Kawarau. "Because it is so difficult to sample large and fast-flowing rivers, we know very little about them." Typically, assessments were based on water quality without any understanding about the effects on periphyton, invertebrates, or fish. In a river such as the Kawarau, it seemed these ecological components were of little perceived value due to the nature of the river. "However, in terms of downstream drinking water use and recreation, the water quality (especially faecal contamination, pharmaceuticals, etc) is quite important." He said the issue was outside his personal area of expertise, but he supposed the mixing, or dilution, that was happening in the river would be quite rapid and thorough not far downstream from the Shotover confluence. "I guess that by the time it gets to AJ Hackett [Bungy Centre], the sewage will be quite diluted. "But the final concentration of contaminants will depend on the concentrations in the effluent and the amount of water available for dilution. "It's all a messy, risky business where there are downstream users."
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Otago Daily Times
Bus service on demand
Otago Regional Council (ORC) is launching a new public transport service operated by Go Bus (a subsidiary of Kinetic) for Mosgiel on Monday, June 30. Orbus On Demand will offer a different way for people to travel. It will operate within the Mosgiel, Wingatui, East Taieri and Kinmont areas using a wheelchair-accessible 22-seat electric bus. The service will replace the Mosgiel loop service (Routes 80 and 81), which ends at 6pm on Friday, June 27. The new on-demand bus service will run on weekdays from 8am to 6pm. People can book any time via the Orbus On Demand app or by phoning ORC Customer Services weekdays from 8am to 5pm. The app is free to download from the App Store or Google Play. Orbus On Demand is not a door-to-door service; it is a rideshare service where passengers may be joined by others during their trip. There are nearly 100 pick-up/drop-off points available; some are marked bus stops, and some are not. The Orbus On Demand app or the customer services team will direct people to the closest pick-up location within the service zone. ORC Public and Active Transport Committee co-chairman Andrew Noone said, in a statement, Orbus On Demand aimed to add convenience and provide wider coverage for bus users in the area. This was something residents asked ORC for during its Long-Term Plan consultation. "This represents a new era of public transport. It means no parking worries and hassle-free trips to essential services like medical and community centres or visiting friends and family across town," Mr Noone said. A fleet of 13 new electric buses servicing the Mosgiel Dunedin route, also operated by Go Bus, will also be launched on June 30, although some buses started running on the route earlier this month. The fleet includes six large 75-passenger capacity buses, introduced to increase capacity during peak times and allow for further bus-use growth in Mosgiel. The launch of the electric Orbus On Demand service is the final step in moving all Mosgiel buses to zero emissions, enabling ORC to deliver cleaner, more sustainable public transport for the region. Go Bus chief operating officer Ben Barlow said it was proud to work alongside the council to deliver the new service. "It represents a forward-thinking approach to public transport in the region," he said. "It's great to be part of a solution that's not only convenient but also aligned with ORC's wider goals around accessibility and sustainability." On demand bus service The Mosgiel, Wingatui, East Taieri and Kinmont on-demand bus service begins at 8am on Monday, June 30, and will run on weekdays from 8am to 6pm. To book, download the Orbus On Demand app or call 0800 672 8736 on weekdays, 8am-5pm. Visit — APL
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
47 people appear in court connected to Garda probe into theft and burglary
Almost 50 people have appeared in court in relation to a Garda operation targeting thefts in North Dublin. As part of ongoing investigations under Operation Táirge, Gardaí from the DMR North Division have arrested and charged 47 individuals in connection with recent incidents of robbery, burglary and theft in the capital. A total of 76 charges are being brought against those arrested in this phase of the investigation. The 47 individuals appeared before Courts 1 and 4 at the Criminal Courts of Justice, as well as Balbriggan District Court, on Wednesday morning (June 18). Gardaí said that investigations are ongoing. Assistant Commissioner for the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) Paul Cleary said: "The success of this operation highlights our commitment to pursue those involved in organised retail theft and bring them before the courts. 'We will continue to work hard to protect businesses and their staff from crime and today's result demonstrates this." Operation Táirge is part of An Garda Síochána's Crime Prevention and Reduction Strategy supporting operational activity aimed at detecting and preventing Organised Retail Crime (ORC). Organised retail crime (ORC) typically refers to situations where a number of persons are acting together, targeting retailer outlets to steal significant quantities of goods to resell back into the retail supply chain through the black market. It can also involve refund fraud with the purpose of making a financial or material benefit. ORC is usually co-ordinated and well-organised by people who recruit others to commit theft from retailers. Operation Táirge is led by the Organised Retail Crime Tasking and Co-ordination Group within An Garda Síochána and supports each Garda region to monitor and respond to emerging trends in their area.
Otago Daily Times
7 days ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Council shows support of new bus route
Oamaru commuters wanting to catch a bus to Dunedin will have to wait at least three more years, under draft regional transport plans but politicians here want funding for even more transport services. The Waitaki District Council has shown its support of the introduction of a 112km direct bus connection between Oamaru and Dunedin and a connecting service to the town's North End in a submission to Otago Regional Council's draft Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP) 2025-35. "WDC has strongly advocated to ORC for public transport opportunities in the Waitaki district," Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher said. While the council continued to support the ongoing Total Mobility programme that provides opportunities for door-to-door public transport for disabled people in Oamaru and the regional bus service between Dunedin and Palmerston, the submission laid out aspirations for improved connectivity for Oamaru residents. "One example relevant in the Waitaki district is providing public transport options to access hospital services in Dunedin," Mr Kircher said. "WDC supports the implementation of daily services between Oamaru and Dunedin via Palmerston." While a key proposal in ORC's draft RPTP is to "investigate" an Oamaru-Dunedin service, the WDC submission asks for much more. The council submission also pushes for the implementation of a "fixed urban connecter service" between Weston and Oamaru via South Hill, as well as "on-demand" service between Oamaru North and the town's city centre. The submission suggested the regional transport plan "proactively engage with communities and organisations, including iwi, to foster trust and ensure public transport projects meet local demand and align with community priorities". It also suggests that a connected and integrated network needs to deliver "a reliable and convenient" transport system that "supports local economies and enhances community resilience" in a manner that represents value for money. Despite not having any direct public transport services operating in the town, Oamaru residents are already charged a $5.45 public transport rate by ORC to support regional planning and potential future services. The inclusion of the Oamaru to Dunedin proposal responds to community interest expressed during the Long-Term Plan 2024-34 consultation, where over 400 submissions region-wide highlighted demand for public transport trials, including in Oamaru. However, an on-demand bus service within Oamaru itself is not planned. The wording of ORC's draft plan also means the introduction of a direct service is still years away, as it is listed as a "medium to long-term initiative" (3–10 years away) due to funding constraints and the need for further planning. The draft plan also proposed raising passenger fares by 50c to $2.50 as well as the introduction of fare zones, where the council could charge more for longer trips (for example, the 50km Palmerston-to-Dunedin route), which could potentially affect Oamaru residents if the Oamaru-Dunedin service is implemented. ORC Moeraki constituency representative councillor Kevin Malcolm said the council was aware of the need. "Council is committed to finding a real option to provide a public transport service between Oamaru and Dunedin but talk needs to stop and we need action." Public consultation on the draft RPTP was undertaken from March 24 to May 2. A total of 549 submissions were received and 32 submitters presented to the regional council Hearings Panel, which heard three days of public submissions from May 13. The recommendations of the Hearings Panel will be presented to the regional council for approval at its monthly meeting, later this month.
Otago Daily Times
12-06-2025
- Climate
- Otago Daily Times
Air quality, pollution awareness key
The mobile version of ORC's air quality monitor has its PM2.5 sensor in the small box halfway up the mast and its meteorological sensor at the end to measure temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, and atmospheric pressure to help analyse PM2.5 data. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Otago Regional Council has expanded air quality monitoring, as winter heating challenges continue. The council has also released its Annual Air Quality Report for 2024, highlighting monitoring technology and community engagement in "Otago's commitment to cleaner air and healthier communities". Milton was among several towns in Otago where air quality was considered degraded during winter, along with Alexandra, Arrowtown, Clyde, Cromwell and Mosgiel. The report included data from seven locations monitoring fine air particulate matter (PM) with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres (PM2.5), which posed greater health risks to communities. Otago recorded 28 exceedances of the National Environmental Standards for Air Quality for PM10 during the winter months in 2024, compared with 17 exceedances in winter 2023. While those areas still faced winter air quality exceedances, the annual report also showed more than 70% of days at monitored sites were classified as "good" under environmental performance indicators. Long-term exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 contribute to the risks of cardiovascular and respiratory conditions. The main source of PM in Otago came from home-heating emissions in winter. "Monitoring smaller sizes of particulate matter (PM2.5) is a significant step forward," the council's air quality scientist Sarah Harrison said. "These smaller particles pose greater health risks ... we're better equipped to inform policy and protect community wellbeing." Towns including Milton have permanent air quality monitors, but the recent studies have been assisted with the council's new mobile air quality trailer which can be quickly deployed to environmental events including wildfires or reports to the pollution hotline. While winter emissions continue to be a challenge where home heating is the main source of particulate matter, Ms Harrison said the seasonal patterns proved the importance of raising awareness about cleaner burning for heat.
