From pothole repairs to major water treatment upgrades, it was a big year for Ashburton District Council, with millions spent on services across the region. The 2022/23 annual report details the progress, or lack thereof, of the council in a year where rising inflation hit budgets.

Here are some key takeaways:

Finances

The revenue from rates was $44,751,000 – up $4m from 2021/22 - and made up 40% of the council’s income.

Total revenue was $111m, $22m above a budget of $89m.

This was mainly due to increased income from land sales in the Business Estate, while vested assets were also worth more than budgeted as a result of higher than expected economic activity across the district.

Total operating expenditure was $83,254,000.

A surplus was recorded of $28m before tax and other comprehensive income.

The council’s net debt was sitting at $74,761,000.

Roads

According to Waka Kotahi figures, Ashburton has the fourth largest road network in the country at 2622km, comprised of 1522km of sealed and 1100km of unsealed road.

The council resealed 58km of road at a cost of $2.7m and filled 10,004 potholes.

The council added an unsubsidised $1.7m for road renewals, sourced from the forestry reserve, which repaired an extra 6.4km.

From the heavy rain event in July 2022, the council received emergency works funding from Waka Kotahi for 51% of the $2.3m repair bill.

The council had aimed to apply for 48,000m3 of metal on the unsealed roads but only achieved 36,545m3 due to “inflation and how far the available budget is able to go”.

Recreation facilities

The Library issued 201,464 items to borrowers, and the Ashburton Art Gallery & Museum delivered 30 exhibitions across our five exhibition spaces.

EA Networks Centre had 442,139 visitors, below the target of 485,000 but up on the 300,848 the previous year.

Regulatory Services

The building boom continued with the council issuing 264 new dwelling consents, fractionally down on the record-breaking 267 from 2021/22.

It also issued 195 resource consents and approved 77 subdivision plans.

Council registered 6892 dogs and responded to 716 reports of found, wandering or barking dogs.

Waste

Kerbside collection totalled 4700 tonnes, there were 890 tonnes of recycling as well as 682 tonnes of recyclable glass (which is collected separately in Mid Canterbury).

The council collected an additional 16,300 tonnes of rubbish and recycling at its resource recovery parks and rural drop-off points.

Drinking water

The $10m Methven/Methven-Springfield membrane treatment plant was completed and work is underway on the Mt Somers membrane plant.

The UV treatment upgrades and Rakaia second bore projects were delayed and carried forward into 2023/24.

The council only achieved 50% of its mandatory performance measure on bacteria compliance missing some testing deadlines set out by Department of Internal Affairs.

Wastewater

The $4.28m Northwest Ashburton wastewater servicing project had the construction of the trunk pipelines on Allens Road, Carters Road, and Farm Road completed and a new network wastewater pump station.

Stormwater

The $1.5m West Street attenuation and treatment facility design has been carried forward “due to competing demands on design services”.

Stockwater

There were 25 applications for race closures, of which 16 were approved and nine are still being worked through.

Unplanned work was undertaken to reinstate river intakes following the July 2022 and ongoing rain events, resulting in an overspend for river maintenance.

Public services

The council reviewed or developed nine policies, six bylaws and four plans.

There was $895,321 in grants and funding to 72 groups and organisations.

Economic development

Construction of Te Whare Whakatere, Ashburton’s new public library and civic centre remains a work in progress and will be completed in December.

Forestry sales totalled $1,077,000, $268,000 above budgeted levels due to unbudgeted log sales due to wind damage.

Park and open spaces

Operating expenditure was $861,000 greater than budgeted – led by overspends in maintenance contracts across the parks and recreation activities, as a result of increased costs since the long-term plan 21-31 was adopted.

Capital expenditure was $1.8 million less than budgeted due to several projects not occurring in the financial year.

By Jonathan Leask