Latest News
Latest news
Historic footbridge closed until temporary support installed
The historic footbridge over the railway in Ashburton will be out of action for at least three weeks, with engineers confirming damage to a support pier on the western pedestrian approach after a car crashed into it this week.
More news
Lake Hood data will help scientists
Council has begun planning a monitoring programme at Lake Hood to better understand the water temperature and level of dissolved oxygen in two areas of the lake.
Tinwald viaduct to temporarily close
The Tinwald viaduct will be closed to vehicles until KiwiRail can repair an overhead beam that was damaged by an excavator being towed on a trailer a week ago.
Do you qualify for a rates rebate? Check it out
Council will soon be writing to more than 1000 households in the district, inviting them to apply for a rates rebate.
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.
Health warning lifted for algal bloom in Lake Hood
Health New Zealand/Te Whatu Ora has lifted its algal bloom health warning issued for Lake Hood on 20/03/2025.
Nominations open now for local elections
The nomination period for the 2025 local elections has kicked off today, Friday 4 July, and people wanting to stand have about a month to return their nomination forms.
More work planned at Argyle Park
Parts of Allenton, between Allens Road and Farm Road, could experience low water pressure next week as part of work to upgrade the Argyle Park water treatment plant.
Head to Hakatere for a picnic this summer
A new picnic shelter at Hakatere Huts and new public toilets at the coastal settlement are expected to get quite a workout when the weather warms up.
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
From the Mayor & CE
CE Hamish Riach: Water plant upgrades on track
The UV upgrade of another Council water treatment plant was achieved last week when the Tinwald plant came back online.
MAYOR: A special time for all Kiwis
There is something quite special about presenting citizenship to 93 new Kiwis this week, as our country celebrates Matariki.
Upcoming meetings
COMMITTEE: Three Waters
30 July 2025, 9.30 am
COMMITTEE: Audit & Risk
30 July 2025, 1.00 pm
Council - Activity Briefings
30 July 2025, 3.00 pm
ADVISORY GROUP: Biodiversity
4 August 2025, 1.00 pm
Council
6 August 2025, 1.00 pm
Road Closures
TANCRED STREET
from 14 Jul 7:00 to 29 Aug 18:00
PHILIP STREET
from 7 Jul 7:00 to 25 Jul 18:00
NICHOLSON STREET
from 9 Jun 7:00 to 25 Jul 18:00
WILLS STREET
from 6 Jun 19:00 to 6 Jun 21:30
KING STREET, ALEXANDER STREET
from 3 Feb 6:00 to 13 Sep 18:00
View all Road Closures | Live map
Ashburton District Council Events
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.
Operation Grapple Talk | Denise Baynham
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
In Operation Grapple, portraits of 19 New Zealand nuclear test veterans tell the story of this little-known chapter in New Zealand history of nuclear testing...
Light up the Night 2025
Ashburton District Council
Ashburton kicks off the season of Christmas festivities with Light up the Night. Join us for a night of food, fun and the jolly man...
Facilities News
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.
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.
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.
Project News
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.
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 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 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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Alerts & advisories
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.
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.
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.