Latest News
Latest news
What's On: Your spring school holidays activity guide
Spring into the school holidays at the end of the month, with loads of fun and activities – from searching for treasure to racing remote controlled cars and planting delphiniums in the domain!
More news
New roading maintenance contract awarded
Fulton Hogan Ashburton has been awarded a five-year, $40.7 million operations and maintenance contract to look after the roading network in the Ashburton District.
Work begins on Dromore water plant upgrade
Work has begun this week on a major upgrade of the Dromore community drinking water supply.
Glow in the Park takes top spot at event awards
Council’s free, community event Glow in the Park was named Local Government Event of the Year at the event industry’s annual awards this week.
New bridge progress is welcome news
It's great this week to see that a preferred contractor has been appointed to design and build the new second bridge over the Ashburton River at Chalmers Avenue.
Welcome: New residents share their journeys
Seven residents starting new lives in the Ashburton District will share their stories through an outdoor exhibition titled Welcoming Ashburton in the lead-up to the Hakatere Noodle Festival, which celebrates national Welcoming Week.
Short water shutdown in north-east on Sunday night
Households and businesses in a large part of north-east Ashburton, including all of Fairton, will have a short water shutdown on Sunday night to allow important work on the Bridge Street water treatment plant.
Key milestone for new Ashburton Bridge
The long-awaited second Ashburton Bridge is a step closer with the signing of a key agreement, Minister for the South Island and Associate Transport Minister James Meager has announced.
New water main on Grove Street
A new water main is being installed on Grove Street in September, between Carters Terrace and Wilkin Street, and drivers who regularly use that route can expect temporary road closures.
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: Election orange is the new black
It's hard to believe that this is the last week of winter, in meteorological terms.
New bridge progress is welcome news
It's great this week to see that a preferred contractor has been appointed to design and build the new second bridge over the Ashburton River at Chalmers Avenue.
Upcoming meetings
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
Council
17 September 2025, 1.00 pm
Stockwater Transition Working Group
18 September 2025, 1.00 pm
Road Closures
TANCRED STREET
from 4 Aug 7:00 to 12 Sep 18:00
PHILIP STREET
from 18 Aug 7:00 to 19 Sep 18:00
LINE ROAD
from 16 Sep 6:00 to 3 Oct 18:00
BARING SQUARE EAST - CAMERON STREET - EAST STREET
from 22 Sep 5:00 to 22 Sep 19:00
ASHBURTON RIVER ROAD - LONGS FORD ROAD
from 5 Sep 6:00 to 30 Sep 20:00
View all Road Closures | Live map
Ashburton District Council Events
Friendship Bracelets
Ashburton Library
Create two friendship bracelets, one to keep and one to give away.Children aged 5-12Booking required
Zen Garden Diorama
Ashburton Library
Chill out while you create your own mini Zen garden diorama using some fun craft materials.Children aged 5-12Booking required
Pom Pom Key Ring Creatures
Ashburton Library
Come along to the allocated Maker Space time to create a pom pom creature. The room will be set up for you with staff popping...
Remote Control Car Racing
Ashburton Library
Book your spot to have a go on our track with our remote-control cars. Face off against others to gain bragging rights.Mon 22nd September, 3pm-5pmTues...
Facilities News
Join the crew of lifelong learners
Library
Departing Mayor Neil Brown will talk about his time leading the Ashburton District, when he opens the Lifelong Learning Festival in the Ashburton Library next month.
Ashcoll, Council sport centre friendship celebrated
EA Networks Centre
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.
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.
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.
Project News
Key milestone for new Ashburton Bridge
2025 News
The long-awaited second Ashburton Bridge is a step closer with the signing of a key agreement, Minister for the South Island and Associate Transport Minister James Meager has announced.
MAYOR: Early moves on second bridge
2025 News
If you tuned in to this week's council meeting, you would have heard an update from the NZTA team in charge of building our second urban bridge and connecting road.
Stockwater Exit: Brothers and Alford Forest intakes
2025 News
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.
Open for Feedback
Recently Closed
Alerts & advisories
Short water shutdown in north-east on Sunday night
Households and businesses in a large part of north-east Ashburton, including all of Fairton, will have a short water shutdown on Sunday night to allow important work on the Bridge Street water treatment plant.
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.
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.
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.