Latest News
Latest news
King's Trust workshop boosts business ideas
Inspiring stories from local business owners made an impact on participants in the King’s Trust Aotearoa workshop for young entrepreneurs in Ashburton last week.
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Dromore plant upgrade wraps up big UV project
The upgraded drinking water treatment plant at Dromore will be commissioned this week, one of the final jobs in a $10 million package of work to add UV steps to council water supplies.
New grants round, and online grants finder
Council’s annual grants round opens on 1 March, along with a new online tool to help community groups and others looking for funds for their projects.
Council to submit on rates cap
Ashburton District Council has finalised a submission to the Government on its rates cap proposal.
Council services over Waitangi weekend 2026
The Waitangi Day public holiday on Friday 6 February 2026 will see temporary changes to operating hours at some Council facilities and to some Council services.
Stockwater Exit: Info session and progress so far
Council will host a public information session on Tuesday 17 February for property owners who receive water from the Cracroft and Klondyke stockwater intakes.
Tips for buying your own home or starting a business
Council’s Welcoming Communities programme is running a free workshop in Ashburton this month about how to buy your first home.
Cr Julie Moffett: Come and watch one of our workshops
It’s a time for cool heads around the council with the coalition government announcing big reforms to local government and the Resource Management Act.
Lake Hood Algal control study kicks off
A scientific study into algal control products at Lake Hood began this week, with several distributors of the products on site to help the project kick off.
Self-contained camping proposed for Mt Somers Domain
The Council and Mt Somers Reserve Board are proposing that the Mt Somers Domain Campground becomes a self-contained campsite from March.
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
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Council Comment
Cr Julie Moffett: Come and watch one of our workshops
It’s a time for cool heads around the council with the coalition government announcing big reforms to local government and the Resource Management Act.
Mayor: Annual Plan work and debate getting underway
It’s hard to believe the first month of the year has passed by already.
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Upcoming meetings
COMMITTEE: Three Waters
11 February 2026, 10.00 am
COMMITTEE: Audit, Risk & Finance
11 February 2026, 1.00 pm
COMMITTEE: Road Safety Co-Ordinating
17 February 2026, 9.30 am
ADVISORY GROUP: Biodiversity
17 February 2026, 1.00 pm
Workshop
18 February 2026, 9.30 am
Road Closures
UPPER DOWNS ROAD
from 28 Feb 8:00 to 28 Feb 17:00
FITZGERALD ROAD - SEASIDE ROAD - BONNINGTONS ROAD
from 15 Mar 8:00 to 15 Mar 17:00
THOMPSONS TRACK
from 13 Jan 6:00 to 27 Feb 20:00
MAYFIELD VALETTA ROAD
from 9 Feb 7:00 to 13 Feb 18:00
DAVID STREET
from 21 Jan 7:00 to 27 Feb 18:00
View all Road Closures | Live map
Council Events
Light up the Night 2026
Ashburton District Council
Welcome in the festive season with our free Christmas celebration!Bring your friends, bring your family and join us in Baring Square East for an evening...
Glow in the Park 2026
Ashburton District Council
This popular family event returns this King’s Birthday weekend, 29-31 May.Immerse yourself in an explosion of colour and artistry as you explore the beautifully lit...
Opening | Documenting our Heritage
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
Join us for the opening and awards ceremony for our new exhibition, Documenting our Heritage: Mid & South Canterbury.Over the summer, Heritage New Zealand Pouhere...
In Plain Site: Memorials and their Stories
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
From traditional monuments to functional buildings, and even living trees, public memorials take many shapes and forms. In Whakatere Ashburton many commemorate wartime sacrifice, while...
Facilities News
Change proposed for squad swimmers
EA Networks Centre
Council is proposing to stop providing a squad swimming programme at the end of June, following a review of its operation, cost and Council’s future role.
Documenting our heritage: Mid and South Canterbury photo competition
Art Gallery and Museum
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga is partnering with Rokowhiria, Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum, in a photo competition to celebrate the special heritage places in Mid and South Canterbury.
Wearable arts with wedding vibe
Art Gallery and Museum
The world of wearable arts is coming to Ashburton … and it has a bridal vibe.
Great Santa Hunt headlines our What's On Guide for summer
Library
Our long-time favourite Christmas event, the Great Santa Hunt, once again heads the list of activities in this summer’s What’s On Guide.
Project News
Stockwater Exit: Info session and progress so far
2026 News
Council will host a public information session on Tuesday 17 February for property owners who receive water from the Cracroft and Klondyke stockwater intakes.
Second Ashburton Bridge: Update 19 December 2025
2025 News
As 2025 wraps up, we’re taking a moment to reflect on what’s been achieved on the Ashburton second bridge project so far and share some of what’s coming up in the new year.
Stockwater Exit: Large section of Pudding Hill race network to close
2025 News
A large section of the Pudding Hill stockwater race network will close next year, as part of Council ending its stockwater delivery service.
Stockwater Exit: Council to consider partial closure of Pudding Hill race network
2025 News
Council will consider a recommendation from the Stockwater Transition Working Group on 17 December to partially close the Pudding Hill stockwater race network.
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Recently Closed
Alerts & advisories
Short shutdown planned for Dromore water supply
The Dromore drinking water treatment plant will shut down for two hours on Tuesday 20 January, as part of work to upgrade the plant.
Conserve water notice for Methven lifted
The conserve water notice for Methven has now been lifted following an outage at the water treatment plant yesterday.
Chertsey water supply restored
Residents on the Chertsey drinking water supply can now use water normally, after earlier being asked to conserve water following an unexpected outage at the treatment plant.
Water restrictions remain as summer heat returns
Ashburton District Council is reminding residents that Level 2 water restrictions remain in effect as hot weather returns to Mid Canterbury.