News

Plan your travel tomorrow as flooding to impact roads and farmland

​Further surface flooding across Southland is expected tomorrow with the MetService issuing a Heavy Rainfall Watch across our already saturated catchments.

Southern Discovery update

The Southern Discovery observatory in Milford Sound has been safely towed to shallow waters where it will undergo repairs after being damaged in a storm.

Waituna Lagoon open to the sea

The Waituna Lagoon was mechanically opened to the sea yesterday afternoon at Walkers Bay.

Environment Southland to use emergency powers to open Waituna Lagoon

Environment Southland has decided to use its emergency powers under the Resource Management Act to mechanically open the Waituna Lagoon to the sea.

Meetings of Council and its Committees for October 2024

Here are the meetings of the Southland Regional Council and its Committees that will be held in the Council Chambers, Regional House, 220 North Road, Invercargill, during the month of October 2024

Air quality exceedances on the rise for Southland this winter

​Invercargill and Gore recorded seven air quality exceedances between them for our 2024 monitoring season (1 May – 31 August).

Potential wallaby sighting near Te Anau prompts investigation

Following a wallaby report this week, Environment Southland is undertaking initial investigations have indicated the possible presence of the pest near Te Anau.

​High water levels at Waituna Lagoon causes concern

Environment Southland is continuing to actively monitor elevated water levels in the Waituna Lagoon.

Feedback sought on release of weed killing creepy-crawlies

Environment Southland is seeking public feedback on a proposal to introduce two new biocontrol agents.

Environment Southland confirms freshwater approach

Environment Southland has confirmed its approach to improving freshwater and it involves a focus on working with communities and delaying the plan change to set limits.

Environment Southland releases end of year financial result

Environment Southland has ended the year in a more positive financial position than budgeted in the midst of challenging economic conditions, with better than expected returns on investment income.

​Submissions on joint Waituna Lagoon application have closed

Submissions on the joint resource consent application to open Waituna Lagoon to the sea by Te Rūnanga o Awarua, the Department of Conservation, and Environment Southland, closed on 3 September 2024.

Further update: Southern Discoveries

Environment Southland has been advised there has been no further damage to the building which sank in Milford Sound last week despite the weekend’s rough weather.

Farm plans important tool in Southland

This week the government announced a pause to the rollout of the national farm plan system.

Southern Discoveries update

Environment Southland marine and compliance staff visited Milford Sound today to inspect the Southern Discoveries building which sank earlier this week.

Farmers urged to check systems in the wake of pollution incidents

Environment Southland is advising farmers to be aware of the ground conditions and to check their systems before irrigating.

Eighteen submissions received on representation review

Environment Southland councillors will hear from community members this week in the next phase of its representation review.

Regional climate change strategy taking shape

A regional climate change strategy aligning local government efforts in Murihiku Southland is taking shape.

‘Te Kupeka o Waimātaitai’ new Stead St pump station officially opened

​A critical piece of regional infrastructure - ‘Te Kupeka o Waimātaitai’, the Stead St pump station – was officially opened today (16 August) in Invercargill.

Response from Chairman Horrell on SDC's release about amalgamation