Written by Jonathan Leask
Rising power bills are forcing councillors to weigh a $5m solar farm against cheaper grid electricity and road spending.
Residents in central Rolleston were left without water for almost eight hours after a 30-year-old main burst, prompting a review of Selwyn Water's response.
Growth across the district swelled Selwyn's operating surplus and drove debt down to $195.9m, but officials say the figure is not cash.
Schools could regain access to a rural Canterbury pool this month, after volunteers won a bid to reopen it before ownership transfers.
Households in Mid Canterbury could soon face metered water bills, as Ashburton Council warns the proposed charging model may be compulsory within five years.
Questions over the validity of a 263-name petition have put pressure on Ashburton's footpath plans, after a councillor said he signed it by mistake.
The council will borrow less for the safety upgrade after NZTA agreed to meet 51% of the $4.7 million construction bill.
Three major Selwyn projects could be delayed by six-month lizard surveys costing $14,000 each, the mayor says.
Sheep will keep grazing beneath the panels as the 42-megawatt project gives a Canterbury farmer a second income stream and helps feed the grid.
Weather remains the main risk to Ashburton's second bridge, but NZTA says the NZD $134-$144 million project is still on time and on budget.
Rolleston residents are set to gain new retail and office space as the town square project moves ahead after a 2024 pause.
Residents in Montalto have six months to devise a takeover plan for their ageing water scheme, after the council delayed some upgrade work.
Safety fears on a 500-metre stretch of Allens Road could be eased if NZTA backs the council's $1.5m bid for a footpath.
Local businesses face another 18 months of disruption after Selwyn District Council awarded Fulton Hogan an around NZD $19 million contract for Lincoln upgrades.
Restoration of the 109-year-old Ashburton footbridge is nearly finished, with the $880,000 job due to reopen it by the end of October.
Around 2,700 Selwyn properties may have been underbilled, leaving ratepayers facing up to GBP £1.4 million in water charges.
Frustration is mounting in Methven after EA Networks admitted its revised lighting timetable was not communicated clearly to businesses and residents.
Residents face a higher risk of illegal dumping after Methven's household item drop-off trial failed to stop the depot being used as a dump site.
Residents may face higher borrowing costs if NZTA co-funding falls through, as the $5.37 million Rolleston roundabout is brought forward.
Ratepayers could face higher bills as Canterbury councils prepare a mandatory regional spatial plan estimated at GBP £7 million to GBP £10 million.
