Latest News

Latest news

Rates rebates clinics for Methven, Rakaia

Council’s Customer Service team is heading to Methven and Rakaia in September and October to help residents with their rates rebate applications.

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Water flowing under walkway

Stockwater Exit: Brothers and Alford Forest intakes

Community members interested in the future of the Brothers stockwater intake are being invited to a public meeting at Mayfield on 2 September and encouraged to have their say via an online survey.

Two students and two adults near tree

Ashcoll, Council sport centre friendship celebrated

Ashburton College and EA Networks Centre reinforced their special relationship this week with the unveiling of a new plaque at the base of a commemorative tree.

canal with automatic ferry

Lake Hood water quality update: 15 August 2025

Council officers are continuing to meet with scientists to understand what drives algal blooms at Lake Hood, as they plan for the coming summer.

Map of water shutdown area

Short water shutdown for Philip and Walker Streets

Properties on Philip Street and Walker Street will have a short water shutdown on Monday 18 August as part of work by Council contractors to renew water pipes in the area.

Oxidation ponds at wastewater plant

Looking into future wastewater needs

Council is enlisting the help of wastewater engineering experts to develop a wastewater strategy that will protect and serve both the community and the environment over the next few decades.

A newly gravelled road

Winter gravel treatment for unsealed roads

Enough gravel to fill seven Olympic-sized swimming pools has been applied to the district’s unsealed roads in the past five weeks as Council’s winter maintenance programme gets into gear.

Chief Executive Hamish Riach

CE Hamish Riach: Pipe renewals lead winter work

One of my regular walking routes takes me past the Argyle Park water treatment plant and it’s been great to see that upgrade project be completed well ahead of schedule.

stormwater discharges

Gully traps in stormwater spotlight

Downpipes illegally connected to gully traps on residential properties are putting pressure on Council’s wastewater networks, particularly in the Tinwald catchment.

Portrait photos of a man and woman

Community board members declared elected

The five new members of the Methven Community Board have been officially declared elected to office.

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Council Brief

A weekly roundup of our top news and important notices. Council Brief is published every Thursday in the Ashburton Courier, Ashburton Guardian and on this website.

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Public Notices

Latest Public Notice


From the Mayor & CE

CE Hamish Riach: Pipe renewals lead winter work

One of my regular walking routes takes me past the Argyle Park water treatment plant and it’s been great to see that upgrade project be completed well ahead of schedule.


MAYOR: Still work to do, despite elections

The next couple of months before the local elections will speed by, and already I’ve found myself doing things for the last time.


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Upcoming meetings

Council

20 August 2025, 1.00 pm


Workshop

27 August 2025, 1.30 pm


COMMITTEE: Road Safety Co-Ordinating

9 September 2025, 9.30 am


COMMITTEE: Three Waters

10 September 2025, 9.30 am


COMMITTEE: Audit & Risk

10 September 2025, 1.00 pm


Road Closures

LINE ROAD

from 10 Sep 6:00 to 1 Oct 18:00


MCCLOYS ROAD (ONE-WAY)

from 10 Sep 6:00 to 1 Oct 18:00


LINE ROAD

from 18 Aug 6:00 to 19 Sep 18:00


TANCRED STREET

from 14 Jul 7:00 to 29 Aug 18:00


KING STREET, ALEXANDER STREET

from 3 Feb 6:00 to 13 Sep 18:00


View all Road Closures | Live map

What's On

Check out what’s on in our facilities.


Ashburton District Council Events

Splash Into Fun! Obstacle Course

EA Networks Centre

Come join us for friendly fun competition! Test your skills as you navigate an obstacle course and hunt for hidden clues, all while in the...

Stadium Inflatable

EA Networks Centre

Don't miss out on this great opportunity to burn some steam for young and old. Jump in and have a go on our indoor inflatable...

Family Water Safety

EA Networks Centre

With summer around the corner, this is a great opportunity to come along and learn about being safe in the variety of open water that...

Kids on the scooter

EANC Holiday Programme - September

EA Networks Centre

Need fully-supervised childcare for your under-13 school-aged child? Book in for games, sports, field trips, crafts, swimming and more!Prices (per session): Day (8am-3pm) $40, Full...

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Facilities News

Three men standing by excavator

Earthworks for mini golf course under way

EA Networks Centre

Mayor Neil Brown turned the first sod of earth for Ashburton's new mini golf course on Tuesday, using a 5-tonne mini excavator.

Two children smiling with three adults

Sports centre celebrates 500,000th visitor, new record coming

EA Networks Centre

The EA Networks Centre celebrated a visitor milestone and new record on Wednesday when its 500,000th customer walked through the door.

Water play area

Splashdeck, toddler pool surface to be replaced

EA Networks Centre

The new surface of the splashdeck and toddler pool at EA Networks Centre is not up to scratch and will be replaced by the contractor who installed it, at no cost to Council.

Three booklets

Your What's On Guide for the winter school holidays

Library

A free family show called The Snow is one of the highlights of a winter-themed What’s On Guide for activities at Council facilities over the coming school holidays.

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Project News

Stockwater race

Stockwater Exit Transition Plan: Reports available to the public

2025 News

Residents interested in Council’s work to exit its stockwater delivery service can now read three investigation reports related to Pudding Hill, the first of 17 stockwater intakes under consideration.

Stockwater race

Drop-in sessions for stockwater exit work

2025 News

Council is holding two drop-in sessions for the public to be part of the discussion about the future of Bushside and Stoney Creek stockwater intakes.

Stockwater race

Stockwater Exit: Bushside Intake public survey open

2025 News

Council is seeking the views of the wider community on the future of the Bushside stockwater intake.

Stockwater race

Stockwater Exit: Water balance report commissioned

2025 News

Council has commissioned a water balance report for the Washpen/Mt Harding Creek system, as part of its work on the future of the Pudding Hill stockwater intake.

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Tenders

Portal used for advertising tenders and other commissioning requirements to the market. All processes through to contract award stage are manage in Tenderlink.

Open for Feedback

House drawn on Post-it Note

Resource Management Notifications

From December 1, 2031 to December 1 2031

Recently Closed

Water Races Bylaw Review

From May 30, 2025 to June 29 2025

Climate Change & Sustainability Strategy

From May 26, 2025 to June 18 2025

Solid Waste Management and Minimisation Bylaw Review

From August 28, 2024 to September 29 2024

Representation Review Initial (Draft) Proposal

From June 13, 2024 to July 21 2024

Draft Long Term Plan 2024-2034

From March 27, 2024 to April 28 2024

View all consultations

Alerts & advisories

Map of water shutdown area

Short water shutdown for Philip and Walker Streets

Properties on Philip Street and Walker Street will have a short water shutdown on Monday 18 August as part of work by Council contractors to renew water pipes in the area.

Filling glass from tap

Water pipe renewals under way from 7 July

Work to renew water pipes on Tancred Street and Philip Street in Ashburton will begin on 7 July, with road closures in the affected areas.

Large statue of a fish

Short shutdown for Rakaia water supply

Rakaia residents are being asked to conserve water on Monday 7 July when new UV disinfection equipment at the town’s water treatment plant is being commissioned.

Allenton water upgrade may lower pressure

Some parts of Allenton may experience low water pressure on Tuesday 1 July, while critical connections are made for a UV upgrade at the Argyle Park water treatment plant.

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