Latest News
Latest news
Water testing continues at Lake Hood
The latest cyanobacteria reading at Lake Hood has unfortunately delayed Council consideration about re-opening the lake to the public for water sports.
More news
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.
Roading contract out for tender
Council has released its road network operations and maintenance contract to the market for tenders.
CE Hamish Riach: Winter is the word, for road crews and librarians
Winter has definitely arrived and while the snow last weekend was great for Mt Hutt, the freezing temperatures did present challenges for some road users around the district.
Mayor encourages locals to stand
Mayor Neil Brown is standing down in October after 21 years on the Ashburton District Council and says local government is about making sure the district thrives.
Former refugees share journey via images
The Afghan former refugee youth of Ashburton have been working on a photography project over the past six months and will be sharing it with the community during World Refugee Week.
New MPI levy for local food businesses
Council is getting in touch with about 200 registered food businesses in the Ashburton District to advise them of a new Food Business Levy being imposed by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
Council's roading crew in winter mode
Winter’s arrival this week means early work starts for Council’s roading contractors, who are out applying grit to icy spots from 4am on days when ice is forecast.
Local Elections: Information session for candidates
Council is hosting a candidate information session on Wednesday 18 June and anyone thinking about standing for Council or the Methven Community Board in the Local Elections later this year can come along.
Glow in the Park visitors tick over 59,000
Glow in the Park organisers are looking at visitor data collected during the King’s Birthday weekend event, but they are already counting it a big success.
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: Winter is the word, for road crews and librarians
Winter has definitely arrived and while the snow last weekend was great for Mt Hutt, the freezing temperatures did present challenges for some road users around the district.
MAYOR: Fasten your seatbelt, stow the tray table ... and Glow
If you’re flying with Air New Zealand this month, make sure you read the Kia Ora magazine tucked into the seat pocket in front of you – you’ll find Ashburton’s big Glow in the Park event on one of the pages.
Upcoming meetings
Council
18 June 2025, 1.00 pm
Stockwater Transition Working Group
24 June 2025, 12.00 am
COMMITTEE: Three Waters
25 June 2025, 10.30 am
COMMITTEE: Audit & Risk
25 June 2025, 12.45 pm
BOARD: Methven Community
30 June 2025, 9.00 am
Road Closures
NICHOLSON STREET
from 9 Jun 7:00 to 25 Jul 18:00
WILLS STREET
from 6 Jun 19:00 to 6 Jun 21:30
TREVORS ROAD
from 7 Apr 7:00 to 27 Jun 18:00
KING STREET, ALEXANDER STREET
from 3 Feb 6:00 to 13 Sep 18:00
View all Road Closures | Live map
Ashburton District Council Events
Hakatere Noodle Festival 2025
Ashburton District Council
The Hakatere Noodle Festival is back with more yummy dishes and free entertainment.
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...
Caught in the Moment: Guardian Photographs of 1975
Ashburton Museum
What moments in time did the Ashburton Guardian photographers capture around Whakatere Ashburton throughout 1975? In this exhibition, photographs from our large collection of Guardian...
Puaka Matariki: I Tō Mātou Wāhi, In Our Place
Ashburton Museum
Puaka and Matariki hold great significance for Māori, marking the beginning of the Māori New Year as these special whetū first appear in the midwinter...
Facilities News
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.
Art shows combine for reopening night
Art Gallery and Museum
The Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum has been a whirlwind of activity leading up to the opening of four new exhibitions this Saturday evening.
EA Networks Centre celebrates 10 years with free activities for the community
EA Networks Centre
EA Networks Centre is planning a fun day of free community activities to celebrate its 10th birthday on Sunday 11 May.
Fun factor high at Council facilities over holidays
Library
Council’s community facilities were inundated over the school holidays by hundreds of youngsters taking part in activities ranging from Easter egg hunts and inflatable pool play to 3D printing and making colourful, fluorescent lei.
Project News
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.
Stockwater Exit: Pudding Hill wider survey
2025 News
Methven community members who came along to a public meeting about the future of the Pudding Hill stockwater intake are being encouraged to take part in Council’s online survey about the intake.
Open for Feedback
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Alerts & advisories
Hinds water treatment plant upgraded
New filtration and UV disinfection equipment at the Hinds water treatment plant will be commissioned this week, with no disruption for those connected to the township’s supply.
Hosing ban for Methven during water plant maintenance
Council is implementing a hosing ban on the Methven and Methven Springfield water supplies from Wednesday 26 February to allow maintenance on one of the reservoirs at the Methven water treatment plant.
Hakatere water notice extended by three days
Council is extending the conserve water notice for the Hakatere drinking water supply for another three days so additional work can be done on the water plant infrastructure.
Overnight disruption for Hinds water supply
The Hinds drinking water supply will be temporarily shutdown overnight (Wednesday 5 February) between the hours of 11pm and 3am, to allow for urgent repairs following the discovery of a leak in a watermain at the water treatment plant earlier today.