Latest News

Latest news

Damage to side of bridge

Tinwald viaduct closed up to six months

KiwiRail is advising that repairs to the Tinwald viaduct could be six months away, and the road underneath it will be closed to traffic until then.

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Career Fest promises interactive experience

An interactive careers event in Ashburton this October is aimed at showing many of the different industries and jobs that are available in the district, to inspire those looking for work or to upskill or find a new job.

Old two-storey building

Old Polytech demolition scheduled from 4 August

Contractors will fence off the old Polytech building and carpark on Cameron Street on Saturday 2 August, ahead of specialist asbestos removal and demolition crews moving onto the site.

Orange cartoon figure

Check your enrolment details before 1 August

Want to vote in the Local Elections? Time is running out to make sure you are enrolled and your name and correct details are on the preliminary electoral roll for the Ashburton District.

Mayor Neil Brown

MAYOR: Essential business, as usual

The Local Government conference in Christchurch last week provided a chance for Government to repeat its message to Councils to get back to basics … and that is largely business as usual for us here in Ashburton.

Adults receiving award

All welcome at business awards launch party

Local businesses, big and small, are being invited to a launch party for the Ashburton District’s Business of the Year Awards.

Dog at the beach

Last week to avoid late registration dog fees

With just a week to go, around half of the district’s 7000 dogs have been registered and the Council is giving the rest a friendly bark - fetch your form and get cracking!

A group of young actors

Grants open for creative projects

Whether you’re producing a play or hosting an exhibition, groups or individuals with a local arts project can apply for financial help through the Creative Communities Scheme from 1 August.

Girl with basket of goodies

School holiday programmes draw a crowd

Over 1000 youngsters headed along to Council facilities over the recent school holidays, to make snow globes, use a laser cutter or take part in a winter challenge.

New building for water treatment

Potential for low water pressure as Argyle Park work continues

Parts of Allenton may experience low water pressure over the next three weeks as part of work to upgrade the Argyle Park water treatment plant.

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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.

View previous issues


Public Notices

Latest Public Notice


From the Mayor & CE

CE Hamish Riach: It's time for candidates to come forward

Candidates for seats on Council are beginning to emerge, with just two weeks until the nomination period closes.


MAYOR: Essential business, as usual

The Local Government conference in Christchurch last week provided a chance for Government to repeat its message to Councils to get back to basics … and that is largely business as usual for us here in Ashburton.


View all columns


Upcoming meetings

Workshops

31 July 2025, 9.30 am


ADVISORY GROUP: Biodiversity

4 August 2025, 1.00 pm


Council

6 August 2025, 1.00 pm


BOARD: Methven Community

11 August 2025, 9.00 am


Council

20 August 2025, 1.00 pm


Road Closures

PHILIP STREET

from 28 Jul 7:00 to 8 Aug 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

Opening | Operation Grapple: We Were There

Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum

Join us for the opening of our new exhibition, Operation Grapple: We Were There.In 1957/58 the British Government conducted a series of nuclear weapons tests...

Operation Grapple: We Were There

Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum

In 1957/58 the British Government conducted a series of nuclear weapons tests at Christmas Island and Malden Island in the mid-Pacific Ocean. This series of...

Artist Talks | Bobby Kurb, Chloe Summerhayes, and Sam Walker

Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum

Join us for three artist talks featuring Bobby Kurb, Chloe Summerhayes and Sam Walker.Bobby will discuss his new exhibition Before Black and White there was...

Hakatere Noodle Festival 2025

Ashburton District Council

The Hakatere Noodle Festival is back with more yummy dishes and free entertainment.

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Facilities News

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.

Plans approved for mini golf course

EA Networks Centre

The final concept designs for the new 18-hole mini golf course at EA Networks Centre have been signed off by Mayor Neil Brown, with a November opening date pencilled in for the project.

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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

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.

Work zone fenced off

Short shutdown for Argyle Park water plant

The water treatment plant at Argyle Park will be shut down for about four hours on Tuesday 17 June and residents in the Allenton area may notice reduced pressure in the water network.

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