Two of our bigger capital works projects are approaching their end dates – the new CBD should be finished later this month and the Ashburton Relief Sewer by March.

Both projects have involved a massive effort by many to have stayed on schedule despite covid lockdowns and other challenges. We have all been in this together.

Excitingly, the CBD streetscape renovation remains on track to be completed by November 22 with just minor tidying up after that. Contractors are busy rebuilding Havelock Street, which is the final part of the project.

The CBD project is a big one for Council and the community and we encourage everyone to check out progress when they are next in town.

Streets completed so far include Cass, Moore, Tancred, Burnett and most of East. We are planting the green belt along East Street at the moment and constructing a concrete pad that will first accommodate the giant Christmas tree.

The work started in January 2020 and has involved a lot of different Council departments, plus utilities like EA Networks. During the project we have built new roads and footpaths, and also renewed underground services – that’s all the three waters, as well as fibre and electrical ducting. We’ve installed new street lights and added more trees, raised gardens and rain gardens.

The rain gardens are especially hard workers – they collect road water run-off that contains harmful hydrocarbons and filters the water so it is in a cleaner state to discharge.

Separate rubbish bins for glass, recycling and general rubbish have been installed and road signs are coming. There will be new signs, including the 10km/h restrictions on the tiled sections of Tancred and Burnett Street.

The aim has been to encourage more pedestrians to move about the CBD, so drivers should slow down and take in the changes. There are a lot more benches around inner town area too, perfect for a lunch break or time away from the screen.

Havelock Street remains busy and contractors have been rebuilding the road surface and it will soon be chipsealed, in one of the last tasks.

Now, it is up to us to enjoy and use the space - visit our excellent food and beverage providers and buy from local retailers and businesses, we remain in this together.