The Mayor of Waimakariri, David Ayers, has announced his intention to retire at the end of the current Council term in October 2019.

Road users travelling SH1 through Woodend during the nights of Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 April will come across road work between Eders Road and Hewitts Road between 6pm and 7am.

The works are part of a routine maintenance programme being carried out by Downer for the New Zealand Transport Agency.

Encouraging people to plan ahead and stay safe on our roads is one of the key drivers behind a free bus service being provided for the Eats and Beats music and food festival in Victoria Park on Saturday 7 April.

Make sure you don't get caught out as the autumn/winter schedule will soon kick in for the locking of gates in various locations across the district. From April 1 the times will change from the summer 10.30pm time to the new 7.00pm time as per the annual schedule.

The consultation period for the Draft Long Term Plan is in full swing … and we want to hear from you! With proposals for the $28 million Multi Use Sports Facility and choice around kerbside collection of waste, along with the expansion of community facilities and District-wide water management, headlining the issues to be discussed, there’s plenty in there than affects all of you.

The following changes to Council services and facilities apply for Easter (Friday 30 March until Monday 2 April 2018).

Civil Defence is conducting a test of its coastal Tsunami warning sirens at 1pm next Tuesday (April 3). Communities living in beach areas will hear the alarms, which are being tested to ensure they are operating correctly. These tests are undertaken periodically to make sure the alarms are ready in case they are needed at any particular time.

Residents in properties on the north and south side of the Williams Street/Smith Street intersection, including some of Smith Street and Princess Place will have their water turned off on Thursday and Friday, as contractors work to install a newly installed section of water main.