Latest News
Latest news
Report says district well placed for growth
Ashburton District is well placed to accommodate future residential and business growth, according to a report by consultants Property Economics.
More news
Deadlines nearing for two stockwater surveys
Council is extending the survey for users of stockwater from the Bushside intake until Monday 14 April.
Annual Plan on track, focus on core services
Council has opted not to consult the community over its Annual Plan 2025-26, given the forecast rate rise is lower than set out in its Long Term Plan and levels of service are not changing dramatically.
Ashburton Library joins modern libraries on the rise
Ashburton Library is cresting a wave of increasing library membership and use, along with other modern libraries around the country.
Lake Hood closed until further notice due to algal bloom
Council has decided to close Lake Hood to the public until further notice due to an algal bloom and the risk to health posed by cyanobacteria toxins.
New shared reception area coming to AAGM
The Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum will close for two weeks after the April school holidays to combine two reception areas into one on the ground floor and create new exhibition space on the upper floor.
MAYOR: Big water services decisions ahead, have your say
There’s a very big piece of Council work open now for feedback, and it’s about services that we mostly take for granted.
Local Water Done Well: Check your mailbox for info packs
Keep an eye on your mailbox for an important letter from Mayor Neil Brown about the future delivery of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services in our district.
NZTA: SH1 Rakaia speed consultation opens
NZTA has opened two new speed reviews for State Highway 1 through Rakaia.
Domain soaks up jazz vibes
Sunshine, jazz music and good company combined for a successful Live on the Lawn event at the Ashburton Domain.
Council Brief
A weekly roundup of our top news and important notices. Council Brief is published every Thursday in the Ashburton Courier, Ashburton Guardian and on this website.
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Public Notices
Latest Public Notice
From the Mayor & CE
CE Hamish Riach: Making hay while the sun shines
The days might be shortening as we move through autumn, but that doesn’t mean a drop-off in Council activity.
MAYOR: Big water services decisions ahead, have your say
There’s a very big piece of Council work open now for feedback, and it’s about services that we mostly take for granted.
Upcoming meetings
BOARD: Methven Community
14 April 2025, 9.00 am
Council
16 April 2025, 1.00 pm
Council
7 May 2025, 1.00 pm
COMMITTEE: Three Waters
14 May 2025, 10.30 am
COMMITTEE: Audit & Risk
14 May 2025, 1.00 pm
Road Closures
TREVORS ROAD
from 7 Apr 7:00 to 27 Jun 18:00
FRISBYS ROAD
from 28 Apr 8:00 to 28 Apr 19:00
FRISBYS ROAD
from 6 Apr 8:00 to 6 Apr 19:00
MICHAEL STREET
from 7 Apr 8:00 to 7 Apr 17:00
EALING MONTALTO ROAD
from 14 Mar 0:00 to 5 Apr 0:00
View all Road Closures | Live map
Ashburton District Council Events
Hakatere Noodle Festival 2025
Ashburton District Council
The Hakatere Noodle Festival is back with more yummy dishes and free entertainment.
Light up the Night 2025
Ashburton District Council
Ashburton kicks off the season of Christmas festivities with Light up the Night. Join us for a night of food, fun and the jolly man...
EA Networks Glow in the Park 2025
Ashburton District Council
Save the Date!Glow Up Your Winter! Bring your family and join us for three magical nights of light, music, food and fun for all ages...
Enmeshed: Feminist modes of information sharing
Ashburton Art Gallery
In Enmeshed, artists Julia Holderness, Areez Katki, Erica van Zon, Ana Iti, and Claudia Kogachi each reframe narratives. Stories are rewritten from new...
Facilities News
Ashburton Library joins modern libraries on the rise
Library
Ashburton Library is cresting a wave of increasing library membership and use, along with other modern libraries around the country.
New shared reception area coming to AAGM
Art Gallery and Museum
The Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum will close for two weeks after the April school holidays to combine two reception areas into one on the ground floor and create new exhibition space on the upper floor.
What's on this April holidays?
Library
Following the success of the first summer holiday What’s on Guide, an autumn holiday guide has now hit countertops at Council facilities.
Repair coming for hydro pool
EA Networks Centre
The EA Networks Centre’s hydro pool will be closed for about a week from 7 April to address a sand filtration issue.Other pools in the centre will not be affected but members will be emailed with the option to put their pool membership on hold.
Project News
Stockwater Exit: Water balance report commissioned
2025 News
Council has commissioned a water balance report for the Washpen/Mt Harding Creek system, as part of its work on the future of the Pudding Hill stockwater intake.
Stockwater Exit: Pudding Hill wider survey
2025 News
Methven community members who came along to a public meeting about the future of the Pudding Hill stockwater intake are being encouraged to take part in Council’s online survey about the intake.
Stockwater Exit Transition Plan: First intake surveys in the mail
2025 News
Land owners who have water races on or adjacent to their property and who pay stockwater rates for water from the Methven Auxiliary Intake are receiving letters this week asking them to take part in a survey about the future of the intake.
NW Ashburton wastewater extension project moves to final stage
North West Ashburton Waste Water Servicing
Contractors will return to Allens Road at the end of May to begin the final stage of the North West Ashburton wastewater extension project.
Open for Feedback
Recently Closed
Alerts & advisories
Hosing ban for Methven during water plant maintenance
Council is implementing a hosing ban on the Methven and Methven Springfield water supplies from Wednesday 26 February to allow maintenance on one of the reservoirs at the Methven water treatment plant.
Hakatere water notice extended by three days
Council is extending the conserve water notice for the Hakatere drinking water supply for another three days so additional work can be done on the water plant infrastructure.
Overnight disruption for Hinds water supply
The Hinds drinking water supply will be temporarily shutdown overnight (Wednesday 5 February) between the hours of 11pm and 3am, to allow for urgent repairs following the discovery of a leak in a watermain at the water treatment plant earlier today.
Conserve water notices – Mayfield, Hakatere Huts and Chertsey
Residents of Mayfield, Chertsey and Hakatere Huts are being asked to conserve drinking water on various days this week.