Latest news with #NicolHorrell
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Southland at ‘tipping point' with wilding trees
Wilding pines at Mid Dome, Northern Southland. The trees are causing major issues in the region. Photo: supplied Wild conifer trees are running rife in Southland with fears some areas could be overtaken in the next 30 years. The region is now at a 'tipping point' as trees spread aggressively through high country, farmland and conservation areas, councillors have been warned. These details were captured in an Environment Southland report presented to council on Wednesday, which one elected member described as "sobering". A species of concern was the Douglas fir for several reasons, including the distance its seed could travel, a tolerance to the climate and commercial popularity. Its spread was accelerating at a rate which current investment and control could not keep up with, the report said. 'Without further intervention, vast areas of Northern Southland could be overtaken within 30 years, resulting in irreversible environmental and economic loss." Productive land, native ecosystems and landscapes were all at risk because of rapidly spreading conifers - especially Douglas fir, the report said. It noted that Southland risked passing a "point of no return" under its current response. Meanwhile, costs rose by 30% every year removal was delayed, and the $24.6 million spent on the problem since 2016 could end up going to waste without follow-up work. Councillor Eric Roy said the battle was being lost and called for immediate action such as limiting where trees could be planted. 'This is one of the most sobering reports I've read in some time,' he said. Council chair Nicol Horrell said there had been conversations with government ministers who were aware of the problem. The government had committed 'quite a bit' of money as part if its 'shovel ready' projects, but it would all be wasted if control work could not keep up, he said. Mid Dome Wilding Trees Charitable Trust covers an area of more than 68,000ha in Northern Southland, and was one such example of a group struggling under reduced budgets. The trust aims to control wilding pines from the Mid Dome area before handing over the control of any wilding re-growth to landowners. Last year, it expressed concern all of its work was at risk and called on the council to increase its funding after 18 years of stagnancy. A series of recommended steps were included in the council report such as clarifying roles and responsibilities, securing long-term funding, and supporting landowners and community action. Wilding conifers are invasive weeds that threaten to permanently alter New Zealand's landscapes, the Department of Conservation website states. When conifer cones mature, they open to release masses of wind-blown seeds which can travel kilometres, according to Doc. • LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Otago Daily Times
24-06-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
$15m prize claimed
Invercargill: The holder of the $15 million-winning Lotto ticket sold at an Invercargill store claimed their prize yesterday morning. Lotto NZ confirmed yesterday the lucky shopper who bought their ticket at Plaza Super-Value had come forward. The holder of the other winning ticket to share the $30m prize, a My Lotto player in Wellington, has yet to claim their prize. More information should be forthcoming in the next few days, Lotto NZ said. The ticket holder in Southland who won 10 second division prizes in the June 14 draw through My Lotto has yet to come forward. Invercargill: Environment Southland has gone back to the future. Environment Southland chairman Nicol Horrell said in a statement the regional council had appointed Rob Phillips as its interim chief executive. Current chief executive Wilma Falconer retires at the end of August and Mr Phillips will take on the interim role from then, until the new council can recruit a permanent chief executive, following the local government elections in October. Mr Phillips was Environment Southland's chief executive for 10 years until he retired in May 2022. Naseby: The final water restriction in Central Otago has been lifted, Naseby residents no longer being asked to conserve water. In a statement yesterday, the Central Otago District Council said the Naseby conserve-water notice had been lifted. It was the last restriction in a series which began after heavy rain and snowmelt affected the source water supply for Ranfurly, Omakau and Ophir about 10 days ago.
RNZ News
23-06-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
The council with almost 50 vacant roles
Environment Southland underwent a major restructure earlier this year. Photo: ODT/Supplied The chair of a southern regional council says he is surprised by the number of available vacancies following a recent restructure. Environment Southland disestablished 51 roles and created 56 new ones in a shake-up which impacted almost a quarter of staff this year. When the proposal went live in February, a source told Local Democracy Reporting there were "lots of tears". It has now been revealed 48 roles are yet to be filled, with the council indicating there's no rush for some. Council chair Nicol Horrell said he was under the impression the figure was in the 20s, but didn't think the vacancies were impacting the day-to-day running of the council. "When you go through a restructure, there's always a wee bit of settling in. A lot of people have changed jobs, and that takes probably a little bit of time to settle down," he said. "But overall, no, I don't have any great concerns." Horrell said there were some positions the council wasn't rushing to fill, and less people doing the work was positive from a ratepayer's standpoint. Environment Southland said in April it was creating 58 new roles as part of the restructure but has since changed that figure to 56. As of Monday, there were three positions advertised on its website. Council general manager people and governance Amy Kubrycht said some of the vacancies were being recruited under priority while others would be phased in under the long-term plan. The council was using contractors, third party suppliers and secondments to help in areas where there were vacancies, Kubrycht said. "Our people are continuing to deliver their work programmes and have been doing a great job as we transition to the new structure." The council previously said it would undertake a contestable selection and expression of interest process with open recruitment for unfilled positions. If employees were unable to secure new roles within the restructure, they would be made redundant and receive a payout in accordance with employment agreements. A proposal document from February showed there were 212 roles at the organisation. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
RNZ News
23-06-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
The southern council with almost 50 vacant roles
Environment Southland underwent a major restructure earlier this year. Photo: ODT/Supplied The chair of a southern regional council says he is surprised by the number of available vacancies following a recent restructure. Environment Southland disestablished 51 roles and created 56 new ones in a shake-up which impacted almost a quarter of staff this year. When the proposal went live in February, a source told Local Democracy Reporting there were "lots of tears". It has now been revealed 48 roles are yet to be filled, with the council indicating there's no rush for some. Council chair Nicol Horrell said he was under the impression the figure was in the 20s, but didn't think the vacancies were impacting the day-to-day running of the council. "When you go through a restructure, there's always a wee bit of settling in. A lot of people have changed jobs, and that takes probably a little bit of time to settle down," he said. "But overall, no, I don't have any great concerns." Horrell said there were some positions the council wasn't rushing to fill, and less people doing the work was positive from a ratepayer's standpoint. Environment Southland said in April it was creating 58 new roles as part of the restructure but has since changed that figure to 56. As of Monday, there were three positions advertised on its website. Council general manager people and governance Amy Kubrycht said some of the vacancies were being recruited under priority while others would be phased in under the long-term plan. The council was using contractors, third party suppliers and secondments to help in areas where there were vacancies, Kubrycht said. "Our people are continuing to deliver their work programmes and have been doing a great job as we transition to the new structure." The council previously said it would undertake a contestable selection and expression of interest process with open recruitment for unfilled positions. If employees were unable to secure new roles within the restructure, they would be made redundant and receive a payout in accordance with employment agreements. A proposal document from February showed there were 212 roles at the organisation. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
RNZ News
06-06-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Chair refuses to apologise, rejects use of ‘kia ora' in council email
Environment Southland has eight catchment committees across the region. Photo: ODT/Supplied A chair of a southern council group is unrepentant about his behaviour at a recent meeting, which was dubbed "disrespectful" by a council leader. Mataura catchment liaison committee chair Hugh Gardyne has also rejected the use of 'kia ora' in an email reprimanding him for his actions. The committee Gardyne oversees is one of eight in the region that supports Environment Southland with local river work. In May, Gardyne gave a blunt presentation to councillors, alleging catchment management was in "a state of paralysis" under the watch of the council chief executive and that communication was ineffective with the general manager in charge. He was shut down at the end of his talk, when he mentioned an abatement notice later revealed to be one [ issued by Environment Southland against itself]. A letter from Environment Southland chair Nicol Horrell on 28 May warned Gardyne of his behaviour, saying parts of his presentation were factually incorrect and disrespectful. "My intention is both to correct your understanding of the facts, and to inform you that councillors will not tolerate any criticism levelled at staff in public meetings or disrespectful behaviour," Horrell wrote. He added it was incorrect to suggest catchment work was in a state of paralysis and accused Gardyne of not having all the facts. "I would be interested to know from where you are getting your information." The letter ended with a suggestion that Gardyne apologise to the chief executive and manager in question, but Gardyne has defended his actions, saying his criticism was about questioning professional ability. "It doesn't, in my opinion, deserve a response or an apology." Hugh Gardyne chairs the Mataura catchment liaison committee, which helps Environment Southland with river management. Photo: ODT/Supplied Gardyne said he would speak at council again in the future and the response from the general manager had been "great", following the presentation. Separately, he also took exception with the use of 'kia ora' in the email sent by Horrell, which delivered the reprimanding letter. Gardyne requested he instead be addressed with 'hello' or 'dear'. Horrell told Local Democracy Reporting using the te reo Māori greeting was commonplace and he didn't think its use would be Gardyne's biggest issue. "I would have thought that that's almost a wee bit racist." In a letter back to Horrell, Gardyne doubled down on perceived issues with river management and questioned whether the chair's concerns were shared by other members. Environment Southland oversees eight catchment liaison committees, which help the council develop annual maintenance programmes and budgets, as well as provide a local point of contact. Gardyne has been involved with the Mataura group since the early 1990s. Last month, the council said it was working to improve communication with its catchment committees. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
