Latest News

Latest news

Brick block building

Short water shutdown planned for Chertsey township

Households on the Chertsey community drinking water scheme will have a short water shutdown next week, as part of important work to commission their new water treatment plant.

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Man in suit

Deputy Mayor Richard Wilson: Now the work begins

Democracy has spoken, and now it is time for your council to make decisions for the betterment of all the residents of the Ashburton district.

Front view of a car

Parking trial to test new plate technology

Council will begin trialling an Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system next week to find out if the technology could be used for parking compliance in Ashburton.

Cat and dog under blanket

Keep your pets safe during fireworks celebrations

Pets and fireworks don't mix, so Council is asking pet owners to think about how they can keep their furry friends safe with Guy Fawkes night approaching.

Large Christmas tree

We're dusting off the Christmas tree

Brush off your Bublé, the Christmas season is almost here with Light Up the Night returning on Saturday 29 November.

Palm tree

Windmill palm replaced in Baring Square East

One of the eight ornamental windmill palms in Baring Square East was replaced this week, with arborists not needing to look too far for a new tree.

Vehicle bridge over braided river

Second Ashburton Bridge: Update on trial pile

We’re getting ready to install a ‘trial pile’ near the Ashburton/Hakatere River as part of early works for the Second Ashburton Bridge. This test helps us understand how the ground behaves so we can design the right foundations to safely support the new bridge.

Group of people at art gallery

Consider the Flowers: Celebrating the life and work of Margaret Trolove

Rokowhiria, the Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum, is honoured to be showcasing the work of Margaret Trolove, a long-standing and valued member of Ashburton's artistic community.

Seat near water canal

Lake Hood water update: Trial areas to be created

Several controlled areas will be created at Lake Hood for trials of treatment options for the mitigation of cyanobacteria blooms in the future.

Chief Executive Hamish Riach

CE Hamish Riach: Reserve, hall boards in the spotlight

With our newly-elected Mayor and Councillors sworn in this week and ready for the regular business of Council, the spotlight now shifts to another group of community representatives.

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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: Reserve, hall boards in the spotlight

With our newly-elected Mayor and Councillors sworn in this week and ready for the regular business of Council, the spotlight now shifts to another group of community representatives.


MAYOR: We're training to be match fit too

It was great to head to Mayor School in Wellington this week with an extra spring in my step, after Mid Canterbury won rugby’s prestigious Meads Cup at the weekend.


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Upcoming meetings

Council

19 November 2025, 1.00 pm


Road Closures

BURNETT STREET

from 10 Nov 6:00 to 12 Nov 18:00


CHALMERS AVENUE

from 30 Oct 7:00 to 4 Dec 18:00


CHALMERS AVENUE

from 20 Oct 7:00 to 21 Nov 18:00


SAUNDERS ROAD

from 25 Nov 6:00 to 12 Dec 18:00


SAUNDERS ROAD

from 10 Nov 18:00 to 24 Nov 18:00


View all Road Closures | Live map

What's On

Check out what’s on in our facilities.


Ashburton District Council Events

Wikipedia Photo Day with Dr. Mike Dickison

Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum

Wikipedia takes all its photos from an open image library, Wikimedia Commons. WikiCommons has 117 million freely usable photos, drawings, sound files, and video clips,...

Workshop | Nature Drawing with Graphite Powder

Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum

Learn how to make a botanical drawing using graphite powder at this special workshop with Katharine Allard!First, we will find inspiration in the Botanical Art...

Clay Fever | Hakatere Ceramics

Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum

Clay Fever is the exhibition of the Hakatere Ceramics and Pottery Club. The show opens with an awards evening on Wednesday...

BookTok Book Club

Ashburton Library

BookTok Book ClubTuesday 18th November @6pmNew this month! Come along to an evening of chatting about the popular books on BookTok and Bookstagram, and be...

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Facilities News

Group of people at art gallery

Consider the Flowers: Celebrating the life and work of Margaret Trolove

Art Gallery and Museum

Rokowhiria, the Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum, is honoured to be showcasing the work of Margaret Trolove, a long-standing and valued member of Ashburton's artistic community.

Minigolf holes under construction

Minigolf project passes half-way point

EA Networks Centre

Ashburton’s new minigolf course is coming to life, hole-by-hole at the EA Networks Centre.

EANC swim child

New splashdeck surface being installed

EA Networks Centre

Remediation work on the splashdeck at EA Networks Centre has begun, with the toddler pool and leisure pool closed to the public for the next two weeks.

Elderly person doing tai chi

It's time to move it, move it

EA Networks Centre

EA Networks Centre will host a free morning for older adults next Wednesday, aimed at helping them to learn about how to prevent falls and how to keep mobile as they age.

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Project News

Vehicle bridge over braided river

Second Ashburton Bridge: Update on trial pile

2025 News

We’re getting ready to install a ‘trial pile’ near the Ashburton/Hakatere River as part of early works for the Second Ashburton Bridge. This test helps us understand how the ground behaves so we can design the right foundations to safely support the new bridge.

Stockwater race

Stockwater Exit: New reports for Methven stockwater network

2025 News

Two new reports about the Methven Auxiliary water race network have been published on Council’s website, as part of the stockwater exit transition work programme.

Concept plan for new bridge

Key milestone for new Ashburton Bridge

2025 News

The long-awaited second Ashburton Bridge is a step closer with the signing of a key agreement, Minister for the South Island and Associate Transport Minister James Meager has announced.

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House drawn on Post-it Note

Resource Management Notifications

From December 1, 2031 to December 1 2031

Recently Closed

Water Races Bylaw Review

From May 30, 2025 to June 29 2025

Climate Change & Sustainability Strategy

From May 26, 2025 to June 18 2025

Solid Waste Management and Minimisation Bylaw Review

From August 28, 2024 to September 29 2024

Representation Review Initial (Draft) Proposal

From June 13, 2024 to July 21 2024

Draft Long Term Plan 2024-2034

From March 27, 2024 to April 28 2024

View all consultations

Alerts & advisories

Planned shutdown for Dromore drinking water supply

The Dromore community drinking water supply will be shut down on Wednesday 22 October from 9am until 2pm as part of preliminary work to replace the main pipeline that distributes water to households on the rural supply.

Map with highlighted areas

Short water shutdown in north-east on Sunday night

Households and businesses in a large part of north-east Ashburton, including all of Fairton, will have a short water shutdown on Sunday night to allow important work on the Bridge Street water treatment plant.

Map of water shutdown area

Short water shutdown for Philip and Walker Streets

Properties on Philip Street and Walker Street will have a short water shutdown on Monday 18 August as part of work by Council contractors to renew water pipes in the area.

Filling glass from tap

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.

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