Latest News
Latest news
$100,000 Lottery grant for bike skills park
Wheels will soon be turning at Mid Canterbury’s new bike skills park, which has been gifted $100,000 from Lottery Community Facilities.
More news
Need tips from a pro for our heritage photo competition?
Photographer Bill Irwin shares his love of photography and advice on how to get a great photo of heritage buildings, as he prepares to judge Heritage New Zealand’s Mid & South Canterbury photo competition, held in partnership with Rokowhiria Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum.
Watching brief on Tinwald bore
Council is looking at the future of the Tinwald drinking water bore, which continues to show higher levels of nitrates than other bores used for community supplies.
Cr Deb Gilkison: What surprised me most about joining Council
One of the biggest surprises since joining Council has been just how complex many decisions are behind the scenes.
Second Ashburton Bridge: Update 18 February 2026
This year marks a big step forward for the Second Ashburton Bridge project. We’re gearing up for construction, and a lot of the work happening now is about setting the project up well so the main build can start smoothly.
Council to install flow meters on Rakaia watermains
Council is installing three bulk flow meters on the drinking water network in east Rakaia, as part of its Rakaia metering trial project.
Council inspecting salmon sculpture
Council is inspecting Rakaia's salmon sculpture after it was the target of activism.
Road works ahead for Tinwald residents
Road works in various parts of Tinwald may cause traffic disruption over the next few weeks, so drivers should allow extra time on their journeys.
CE: Tough talks as Annual Plan takes shape
The Annual Plan process to set a budget and work programme for 2026-27 moved to the next phase this week, with another workshop.
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.
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 Deb Gilkison: What surprised me most about joining Council
One of the biggest surprises since joining Council has been just how complex many decisions are behind the scenes.
CE: Tough talks as Annual Plan takes shape
The Annual Plan process to set a budget and work programme for 2026-27 moved to the next phase this week, with another workshop.
View all columns
Upcoming meetings
Workshop
24 February 2026, 1.30 pm
Workshop
25 February 2026, 9.30 am
Council
25 February 2026, 1.00 pm
Stockwater Transition Working Group
4 March 2026, 1.30 pm
BOARD: Methven Community
9 March 2026, 9.00 am
Road Closures
SMALLBONE DRIVE
from 15 Mar 6:00 to 15 Mar 15:00
MOORE STREET
from 3 Mar 6:00 to 6 Mar 18:00
RAILWAY TERRACE WEST
from 23 Feb 7:00 to 27 Feb 17:00
RACECOURSE ROAD (ONE-WAY)
from 25 Feb 19:00 to 26 Feb 6:00
SAUNDERS ROAD
from 23 Feb 19:00 to 24 Feb 6:00
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
Second Ashburton Bridge: Update 18 February 2026
2026 News
This year marks a big step forward for the Second Ashburton Bridge project. We’re gearing up for construction, and a lot of the work happening now is about setting the project up well so the main build can start smoothly.
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.
Open for Feedback
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.