Latest News

Latest news

Two people walking by solar panels

Be part of our first Climate Change & Sustainability Strategy

We all want Mid Canterbury to be a place with clean air, clear waterways and protected for future generations and that’s why Council is beginning work on the district’s first Climate Change & Sustainability Strategy.

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Open channel in a lake

Lake Hood Water Quality Update: 21 January 2025

Council is undertaking more physical work at Lake Hood to improve water circulation.

Three-storey building and land

Sale of former civic building and land confirmed

Council has today confirmed the sale of its former Baring Square West administration building and land to Havelock Development Limited for $2.3 million.

Man holding book

Does your community project need help in 2025?

Community groups in the Ashburton District are being encouraged to think about projects that could qualify for a Council grant when funding applications are called for at the start of February.

Gallery visitors touching rocks on display

Zonta Ashburton 2025 art awards finalists revealed

Thirty-one finalists have been chosen for the 2025 Zonta Ashburton Women’s Art Awards, with the premier winner to be announced on 7 March at a special event at the Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum.

Chief Executive Hamish Riach

CE: Keeping the focus on essential business

It’s quickly back to business as the new year gets under way, with a full schedule of Council meetings and workshops planned, from budgets to biodiversity.

Denim jean being repaired

Ashburton Library hosts Fix It Fair

Ashburton Library and Keep Learning Mid Canterbury are teaming up to offer Ashburton’s first Fix It Fair on Saturday 1 February.

Man holding speed limit sign

New school speed limit signs on the way

Council will soon begin installing about 80 new signs, advising motorists that 30km/h speed limits outside schools will become variable speed limits only enforceable at the beginning and end of the school day.

Couple walk in the wood

Exploring the district's backyard

Make memories in your home district and explore your own backyard this summer. There’s so much to see and do in Mid Canterbury that we couldn't possibly list it all, but here’s 10 activities to get you started.

Signage of river trail

Fresh signage enhances river trail

Local user groups of the Hakatere Ashburton River Trail have been working with the Council to add new location signs along the trail, with the first section done last week.

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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: Time to put Santa on the agenda

The giant Christmas tree in Baring Square East is a lovely, if scary, reminder that the end of the year is nigh – and there is still much to do in the next four weeks.


MAYOR: Wise words from the past

Of times past: Read the wise words of a civic leader 50 years ago.


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Upcoming meetings

BOARD: Methven Community

27 January 2025, 9.00 am


Council - Activity Briefings

28 January 2025, 10.00 am


Workshops

29 January 2025, 9.30 am


Workshops

30 January 2025, 11.00 am


ADVISORY GROUP: Biodiversity

3 February 2025, 1.00 pm


Road Closures

WEST STREET

from 23 Jan 20:00 to 24 Jan 6:00


MARONAN ROAD

from 6 Jan 7:00 to 31 Mar 18:00


SEAFIELD ROAD

from 6 Jan 6:00 to 12 Apr 19:00


View all Road Closures | Live map

What's On

What’s on this summer holiday (December to February)


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...

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...

Bridging the chasm - 150 years of Ashburton District Railway

Ashburton Museum

Arriving in August 1874, the Great Southern Railway opened Ashburton to the world. The station became the arrival and departure platform for thousands of people...

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Facilities News

Lost luggage

The stories behind lost luggage

Museum

Whether travelling by rail, bus, ship or airline, mishandled baggage and lost luggage have always been an unfortunate part of the travel experience.

Children in the pool inflables

Inflatables arrive at community pools

EA Networks Centre

Inflatables will be popping up at the district’s community pools over the summer, while the aquatic area at EA Networks Centre undergoes maintenance.

Woman and storage boxes

Capsule to seal a slice of our time

Library

Sealing a time capsule filled with images, papers, digital records and other small items about Ashburton will be a milestone moment for the new civic and library, Te Whare Whakatere.

entrance to swimming pool

Hampstead pool an option during maintenance shutdown

EA Networks Centre

Swimmers will be able to take a cool dip in the Hampstead Pool when EA Networks Centre closes its aquatic area in January for planned maintenance.

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Project News

Wastewater project sign

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.

Wastewater holding pipe

Last pipes laid in NW Ashburton wastewater extension

North West Ashburton Waste Water Servicing

The final pieces of pipe in the North West Ashburton wastewater extension were laid underground on Allens Road recently, but not before attracting a bit of attention because of their unusual shape.

Detour sign for road works

Wastewater project starts final phase in Allenton

North West Ashburton Waste Water Servicing

A 500m stretch of Allens Road will be closed to traffic for 10 days, weather permitting, from Monday 23 January when contractors begin the final phase of the North West Ashburton wastewater extension project.

Ashburton civic square and garden

Contract awarded for Baring Square East refresh

Baring Square East Upgrade

A $2.45 million contract to redevelop Baring Square East has been awarded to Tru-Line Civil, the same contractor who worked on the revitalisation of Ashburton’s CBD.

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Tenders

Portal used for advertising tenders and other commissioning requirements to the market. All processes through to contract award stage are manage in Tenderlink.

Open for Feedback

House drawn on Post-it Note

Resource Management Notifications

From December 1, 2031 to December 1 2031

Recently Closed

Solid Waste Management and Minimisation Bylaw Review

From August 28, 2024 to September 29 2024

Representation Review Initial (Draft) Proposal

From June 13, 2024 to July 21 2024

Draft Long Term Plan 2024-2034

From March 27, 2024 to April 28 2024

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Alerts & advisories

Further Notice of By-election for the Western Ward

The nomination period to fill the extraordinary vacancy for the Western Ward has now closed, with four candidates standing in the upcoming election.

Notice of 2022 Triennial Local Authority Elections

Official notice of the 2022 Triennial Local Authority Elections

Website Maintenance Ahead!

Some of our online EServices will be down for scheduled maintenance Saturday 26 March 2022 from 7am till 5pm. We apologise for any inconvenience.

Kettle boiling water

UPDATE: Precautionary boil water notice lifted for Methven

UPDATE 18 February: Methven’s boil water notice has been lifted.

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