Chief Executive Hamish Riach

The new year has arrived, heralding the usual annual discussions about budget and work programmes but also talk about reforms for local government.

While our elected members get to grips with understanding how these reforms will affect us here in the Ashburton District, the services Council provides 24 hours a day, seven days a week, continue uninterrupted.

Providing drinking water, treating wastewater, collecting rubbish and maintaining roads to drive on is essential business, that often happens in the background.

For the first time in many years, we implemented Level 2 water restrictions in December as daily demand rose to near our consented volume. The restrictions mean households effectively water their gardens and lawns on alternate days, while there remains no limit on water used for essential purposes like cooking, washing and showering.

Our roading contractors are back on the job, with maintenance and rehabilitation projects in full swing while the weather is fine.

Council staff have also started early engagement on a review of our dog control rules, so if you have a dog, or are interested in dogs and their behaviour, then I encourage you to take part in an online survey we are running until the end of January.

The survey asks questions like, do we have enough dog parks and dog exercise areas, and are there more areas where dogs should be prohibited. Your feedback will help us review the Dog Control Policy and Bylaw later in the year.

It's been great to see families visiting the library, art gallery and museum, EA Networks Centre and our open spaces over the break.

The What's On Guide remains popular, with 1500 copies printed and 1600 downloaded - check it out if you are looking for things to do with the kids.

The first Council meeting for the year is on 4 February, but before that will be Activity Briefings and a workshop on 28 January.