The events around COVID-19 these past few days have been rapid and confronting, and with a Level Four Alert set to begin across the country tomorrow, there are a number of Council services that will be impacted.

The Council will be doing everything it can to follow the new Government measures while also ensuring crucial local services are maintained for you.

Community facilities:

Very shortly after the Prime Minister announced the country was moving into a Level Three and then Four alert, the Council made the call to close our community facilities – the EA Networks Centre, Ashburton Public Library and Museum as well as the Ashburton Trust Event Centre. Reserves, camping grounds (unless for essential service personnel) and Community Halls are likewise, closed.

Our staff from these centres are now being redeployed to support not only other essential Council functions, but also community–led support activities.

Council’s Administration building on Baring Square West is closed in line with the Government’s directive to reduce physical contact with others. Many of our staff are working from home so that essential services can continue.

Our customer service team is working from home, and are set up to take calls and emails to assist you with your enquiries.

Water:

Our drinking, storm, stock and waste water services are being delivered as normal.

Rubbish and recycling:

We will continue to pick up your red rubbish bin and yellow recycling bin from the kerbside as per your normal collection days. We are working through the potential to have limited opening hours for the Resource Recovery Park and will give further advice as soon as we can.

Rural recycling drop-off sites will remain open.

Unfortunately, glass recycling is suspended until further notice. We ask that you store your empties at home in the meantime. We will let you know when this changes.

Regulatory services:

Regulatory services such as building and resource consents remain operational.​

The speed of change to Level Three and soon, Level Four has been understandably very swift, and the situation may well continue to change over the coming four weeks and potentially beyond. We will continue to adapt and respond as necessary, and will continue to stay in touch with the community throughout.

We understand these are very challenging times for everyone. The Council will continue to communicate with you about any potential change to our services or activities. Follow our Facebook page (@AshburtonDC), sign up to our free text/SMS alert service. (by texting your postcode to 4196)

We are now in unprecedented times that require us – more than ever, to be united as a community and country to work through the challenges of COVID-19. Together with you, the Council will be playing its part to slow the spread of this disease.​