The cost of the new road connecting to Ashburton’s second bridge could be next week, while work on the project could begin as early as March.
Ashburton District Council will discuss its annual plan budget at two workshops, on February 3 and 10.
It will be the first budget for Mayor Liz McMillan, and as with any council budget, there will be big decisions to make.
“There is so much to consider, but that is why we spend a few days going through everything, trying to get the balance right.”
The balance between progress and affordability “is not always easy, but that’s our job”.
“We will be looking at the big things and what we can trim down without impacting the levels of service.”
The long-term plan had forecast an 11 per cent rates rise.
Those budgets had maintained the $7.5m contribution towards the second bridge, which has been previously signalled as potentially inadequate.
NZTA will fully fund the construction of the second bridge, while the council will pay for the connecting road from the bridge to a new roundabout at Graham’s Rd.
McMillan said the council will “have to confirm our contribution to that project”.
It is expected an updated estimate of the cost will be revealed as part of the budget process as the project nears construction starting.
Associate Transport and South Island Minister James Meager said the design and construction contract is on track to be signed by the end of March.
“This will enable the first shovels in the ground for the main project.
“Fletchers Construction was contracted last year to progress the detailed bridge design and move the project towards the main construction.
“Enabling/pre-main construction work to come includes ecological work, removal of trees, creating access roads, and establishing placement areas for equipment.
“I’m also advised that work continues on detailed design, property purchases, and consenting.”
Water, Waste and Roads
After the bridge, there is the impact of the Government’s Water Done Well reforms to factor in, with the council planning to spend $26m on water projects in 2026/27.
“We have committed to the water services delivery plan so that all has to be in there,’’ McMillan said.
Under the plan, the combined water charges for those in serviced urban areas would rise from $1490 this year to around $1670 for 2026-27.
Other big budget items include the $2.5m of unsubsidised road funding, which equates to around 4.5 per cent of the rates, and the roll out of green waste kerbside collection.
The introduction of the bins was previously estimated to cost $1.66m, but offset by a $918,000 waste minimisation subsidy, while the operating costs were forecast to be $1.24m and covered by a rate increase and a reduction in general waste costs.
The budget discussion will take place with the proposed rates capping on the horizon, with the Government proposing to restrict councils to between 2-4 per cent increases (excluding water) from 2029.
The long-term plan and its proposed 2026/27 budget were adopted long before the rates capping was announced.
“We have too many projects on at the moment that I don’t think it (a rise between 2-4 per cent) is possible, but it is what we are going to have to look toward going forward.”
That will be a consideration for the next long-term plan, along with the impacts of the other Government reforms, which the council will start work on later this year.
