Two offers in for old Ashburton council site
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Offers on the former Ashburton District Council administration building will be considered by councillors next week.
Chief executive Hamish Riach confirmed two offers had been received for the entire site that was formerly home to the council.
“Council will consider the offers at the November 20 council meeting, in a public excluded section of the meeting,” Riach said.
The property comprises 5059m2 in four titles and the council had signed up Property Brokers agent Hamish Niles to sell the property ‘as is where is’.
The three-storey council building was built in 1974 with a basement and the ability to add a fourth storey but that was scuttled by the changes to the building standards following the Canterbury earthquakes.
Issues with the building were first signalled in 2004, and in 2015 it was decided to combine a replacement with a new library.
Earlier this year the council sold the former public library building for $1.1m to CBR Properties Limited, which plans to renovate the building into a boutique hotel.
The sale of the two sites will go to offsetting the build cost of the $62.1m new library and civic centre, Te Whare Whakatere that opened in January.
Poll: Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?
As reported in the Post, there’s a $30 million funding gap in financial mentoring. This has led to services closing and mentors stepping in unpaid just to keep helping people in need 🪙💰🪙
One proposed solution? Small levies on industries that profit from financial hardship — like banks, casinos, and similar companies.
So we want to hear what you think:
Should the government ask these industries to contribute?
-
59.4% Yes, supporting people is important!
-
26.1% No, individuals should take responsibility
-
14.5% ... It is complicated
A Neighbourly Riddle! Don’t Overthink It… Or Do?😜
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!
If you multiply this number by any other number, the answer will always be the same. What number is this?
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
Loading…
