Latest News
Latest news
Mayor Liz thanks employers for backing job scheme
Mayor Liz McMillan is thanking the district’s employers for getting behind the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs programme, with 50 job-seekers offered work in the past eight months.
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Deputy Mayor Richard Wilson: Planning for uncertain times
The budget for 2026-27 continues to be a main focus for Councillors, and we are hoping the war in Iran and other things outside our control will not derail it.
Sports hall gifted to Council
The Ashburton Sports Hall on Tancred Street has been gifted to Council, and a report will assess future options for the building – including the possibility of selling it.
Council looks at fuel-saving measures
Council is carefully monitoring its fuel use and looking at fuel-saving ways to work as the war in the Middle East continues.
Repairs coming for heritage footbridge
Ashburton’s historic rail footbridge will be refurbished later this year, in a project that will preserve an important slice of history and ensure a safe mid-town rail crossing for future generations.
Algal bloom warning lifted for Lake Hood
Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora has lifted its harmful algal bloom health warning issued for Lake Hood.
Short water shutdown for parts of Rakaia east
Some residents in Rakaia east will be without water on Tuesday 24 March, while a new watermain connection is installed in the Elizabeth Avenue/Burrowes Road area.
Photo competition highlights our heritage hotspots
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga’s Documenting Our Heritage photo competition for Mid & South Canterbury has been a huge success, with over 170 photo entries.
Changes for swim squad confirmed
Council has confirmed one of its former swim coaches will take over the coaching of competitive squad swimmers at EA Networks Centre from the end of June.
Autumn What's On Guide, out now
A free walking tour, a leaf hunt, puppet workshops and water bombs are among activities in the Autumn What’s On Guide, out now.
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
Deputy Mayor Richard Wilson: Planning for uncertain times
The budget for 2026-27 continues to be a main focus for Councillors, and we are hoping the war in Iran and other things outside our control will not derail it.
Mayor Liz McMillan: Here's how the Annual Plan 2026-27 is tracking
Following another big workshop yesterday, our Annual Plan for 2026-27 is really taking shape and I’d like to update you on how things are tracking in terms of rates and important projects.
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Upcoming meetings
Workshop
31 March 2026, 10.00 am
Workshop
31 March 2026, 2.00 pm
COMMITTEE: Audit, Risk & Finance
1 April 2026, 2.00 pm
Workshop
8 April 2026, 9.30 am
Council
8 April 2026, 1.00 pm
Road Closures
SPRINGFIELD ROAD WEST
from 7 Apr 6:00 to 20 Apr 18:00
CHERTSEY LINE ROAD
from 7 Apr 21:00 to 10 Apr 5:30
BARING SQUARE EAST
from 7 Apr 7:00 to 21 Apr 18:00
OAK GROVE - HARRISON STREET - BELT ROAD ROUNDABOUT
from 13 Apr 9:00 to 3 May 19:00
DAVID STREET
from 23 Mar 7:00 to 10 Apr 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...
Workshop | Treasured Photos
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
Join us for a practical workshop led by archivist Connor Lysaght, where you will be introduced to methods for identifying various types of historic photographs,...
Heritage Talk | Robyn Burgess
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
To celebrate our new exhibition Documenting our Heritage: Mid & South Canterbury, Heritage New Zealand’s Senior Heritage Advisor for Canterbury/West Coast, Robyn Burgess, will give...
Artist Talk | Q&A with Noel Meek
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
Join our Art Curator James Hope and artist Noel Meek in a Q&A session about his new exhibition.the cuckoo sings for me, for the mountain,...
Facilities News
Photo competition highlights our heritage hotspots
Art Gallery and Museum
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga’s Documenting Our Heritage photo competition for Mid & South Canterbury has been a huge success, with over 170 photo entries.
Autumn What's On Guide, out now
Library
A free walking tour, a leaf hunt, puppet workshops and water bombs are among activities in the Autumn What’s On Guide, out now.
Winners announced for Zonta Ashburton Art Awards
Art Gallery and Museum
This year’s premier award at the Zonta Ashburton Women’s Art Awards has been won by Miranda Parkes, for her colourful work dreamchaser.
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.
Project News
Stockwater Exit: Good turnout to info session
2026 News
There was a good turnout to the public information session at the Ruapuna Hall last week, when about 35 people came along to hear about the future of the Cracroft and Klondyke stockwater intakes.
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.
Open for Feedback
Open Spaces Strategy & Bylaw & Brothel Location Bylaw Review 2026
From March 4, 2026 to April 7 2026
Recently Closed
Alerts & advisories
Short water shutdown for parts of Rakaia east
Some residents in Rakaia east will be without water on Tuesday 24 March, while a new watermain connection is installed in the Elizabeth Avenue/Burrowes Road area.
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.