Current consultation, council submissions, Annual Residents Survey and official information requests
Minutes, agendas and how you can participate
Everything you need to know about building consents, PIMs and development contributions
Dogs, Stock, Poultry and Bees
Arts and culture in Ashburton District
Learn about our district's economy
Mayor Neil Brown, and Chief Executive Hamish Riach, contribute articles to the Ashburton Courier and Ashburton Guardian on a number of topical issues.
This week is New Zealand Sign Language week. It has particular significance for me this year because, as part of my role as Mayor, I have recently been appointed patron of the New Zealand Hearing Association’s Ashburton branch.
This year, I was impressed to discover that ANZAC Day services were being held in many locations across our district.
I have always been a strong advocate for community engagement with our Council.
Last week, I received a highly informative letter from Minister of Police Paula Bennett, announcing an increase in police numbers for New Zealand and in particular Canterbury.
In February, I was fortunate to attend a South Island business forum that sat alongside Christchurch’s annual Lantern Festival.
The role of Mayor can seem a bit mysterious unless you are involved in the day-to-day workings of the Council.
I am very pleased to report that Police numbers are back to full quota, plus one additional resource in the Ashburton district.
To put things in context, there are 16,598 rateable properties in the Ashburton district. A total of 6,347 of these are rural, meaning they are outside Ashburton, Rakaia and Methven.
Ashburton companies and organisations now have a wealth of information for developing strong business strategies, thanks to the release of the Infometrics 2016 Ashburton District Annual Economic Profile.
Since becoming mayor, I have had many more opportunities to meet our local farmers and their families. These families are the backbone of our rural community. When they are doing well, the district does well and the same can apply in reverse.
I am delighted to announce that Ashburton District Council has been invited by Immigration New Zealand to help pilot its ‘Welcoming Communities’ project in Canterbury.
Over the last few weeks, I have had the privilege of attending double gold star celebrations for fire fighters Donald Dunlea of Rakaia and Graeme Baker of Ashburton.
Over the last few weeks, I have had the privilege of attending double gold star celebrations for fire fighters Donald Dunlea of Rakaia and Graeme Baker of Ashburton. And I am about to attend another for Selwyn Allred of Methven.
I am delighted to be heading off to the National Trust Power Community Awards in Rotorua next month, with representatives from the 2016 Supreme Ashburton winner – Community House Mid-Canterbury.
Canterbury’s first mayoral forum, since the last election, was an exciting time for those of us new to the table.
The Ashburton District is privileged to have been chosen for the official launch of the amalgamated Fire and Emergency New Zealand Fire and Emergency New Zealand organisation, with a street parade and ceremony on this Saturday 1 July.
Recently, Selwyn District Mayor Sam Broughton and his Council, took the opportunity to visit Ashburton and in particular our newest facility, the EA Networks Centre.
Last Friday, Cr Diane Rawlinson and I had our first, of hopefully several, door knocking trips to local businesses.
As we step into 2017, one of the first items on Ashburton District Council’s things-to-do list is a 26 January workshop on our new administration and library building(s).
I trust this message finds each and every one of you refreshed, relaxed and ready to face the New Year.