UPDATED 3.30 PM, Friday 20 August 2021: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced that all of New Zealand will remain at Alert Level 4 until 11.59 pm Tuesday, 24 August 2021. This is in response to a community outbreak in Auckland which has been linked to the Delta variant earlier this week. Only essential services are able to operate during this time.

Learn how the following Council services will be affected during this period:

Contacting Council

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

Community facilities:

EA Networks Centre, Ashburton Public Library, Art Gallery, Museum, and Community Halls are closed.

All public playgrounds will be closed and taped off.

Public toilets on main freight routes will be open (and where requested by essential services) and will have increased cleaning frequency. All other public toilets will be closed.

Council’s Administration building on Baring Square West is closed. Many of our staff are working from home so that essential services can continue.

Rates Payment Due

Council is aware that rates are due on 20 August. Given the office is closed, you are encouraged to pay online (ashburtondc.govt.nz) if possible. Ashburton District Council has decided to delay applying penalties for late rates because of the country’s move to Alert Level 4. Learn more...

Water:

Our drinking water, storm water, stock water, and waste water services are being delivered as normal. Council has also begun collecting samples of its wastewater to be tested for Covid-19. Learn more…

Roads:

Roading maintenance and repairs to keep the roads safe will continue.

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. 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.

All Resource Recovery Parks will be closed to the public.

Regulatory services:

Regulatory services such as building and resource consents remain operational, however there will be no physical inspections.

Council Meeting:

Council will continue to meet remotely via Zoom, for any regularly scheduled meetings. Public meetings will be live streamed on the Council’s YouTube Channel and Facebook Page.

The Council will continue to communicate with the community about any potential change to our services or activities. Follow our Facebook page (@AshburtonDC), visit the Council website (ashburtondc.govt.nz), and sign up to our free text/SMS alert service (by texting your postcode to 4196) to stay informed.

For additional information:

• Ministry of Health
• COVID 19 Website