Our Annual Plan discussions will continue into the next fortnight and we expect to have a draft plan ready by 11 March.

We gave staff direction last week on a number of budget items – including axing $100,000 spending on a new track and seat at Ashton Beach, and new flags and hardware for the streetlights in Ashburton.

We also talked about Lake Hood, and Councillors accepted the need for a lake manager to start work on the complex suite of resource consents that will need renewing in 2031, and to handle the various projects aimed at improving water quality there.

ACL will continue its job doing the day-to-day lake operations, including operating the weed harvester and monitoring lake levels as per our resource consents. It is really important we gather as much information about the health of the lake, and look at practical solutions to problems like cyanobacteria, before we make serious decisions about its long-term future.

The draft budget for 2026-27 will also include $20 million to put towards the second Ashburton Bridge project. Construction should be under way by the end of March and we’ve taken the opportunity to add in a new watermain that will run from Chalmers Avenue across the bridge and all the way alongside the new connecting road to Grahams Road. The new watermain will add more resilience for the Tinwald water supply.

On 11 March, Councillors will discuss how they will consult with the community about the draft Annual Plan, so we’ll keep everyone informed.

I also learned a new word last week, ungulate. It’s a hoofed mammal, like goats, deer, tahr and pigs and we have a problem with increasing numbers in the wild in our foothills and high country.

The impact of these wild ungulates was discussed by the Ashburton District Biodiversity Advisory Group and some are calling for a national management plan. Council works with the Department of Conservation on planned culls in its areas of responsibility, but it’s clear these animals are hurting forest regeneration and farming systems.

On a sunnier note, Ashburton turned on fine weather last Sunday for the over 70 cricketers from Canada and England and it was great to see spectators on the sideline admiring their skills. England is back this Sunday to take on New Zealand, so come along and watch!