Fuel Price Competition Coming To Mid Canterbury

Tuesday, 7 October 2025, 5:20 pm
Article: Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter

Tasman Fuels is looking to set up shop in Ashburton. The Timaru-based independent fuel company has consent to establish a 24-hour self-serve fuel station on railway land off State Highway 1/West Street in central Ashburton. 

Chief executive Philippe Dubau said that construction should start in November and the opening is planned no later than the end of the first quarter in 2026. 

Ashburton District Council group manager of compliance and development Ian Hyde said land use consent was granted by the council on October 1, subject to conditions relating to landscaping, earthworks, lighting, and fuel storage. 

“The non-complying activity was granted on the basis effects on the environment would be acceptable and other relevant matters had been addressed.” 

The land is zoned Open Space A and is located opposite the Ashburton Domain layby. 

Hyde said the existing vehicle crossings on SH1 will be utilised and the roadside boundary planting will be retained.

Environment Canterbury has also issued relevant consents for the activity, including land use consent for excavation and land use consent to store hazardous substances. 

Dabau said Tasman Fuels wouldn’t make any “grandiose announcements” on its fuel prices. 

“Tasman Fuels will only have customers if its prices are competitive and its service meets expectations”.

 “[Our] philosophy is to take a long-term view and offer the lowest possible prices to everyone, every day of the year.” 

The Waitomo Group had previously sought consent to operate from the same site in 2022. 

It received land use consent from the Ashburton District Council, but didn’t follow through to seek consent from ECan after engaging the pre-application service. 

Customer experience group manager Greta Shirley said Waitomo is seeking consent for an alternative site, understood to be the former Z site on SH1 in Tinwald. 

“Waitomo has a preferred site in Ashburton, but we’re still working through the consent requirements with ECAN, which has been a slow process,” Shirley said. 

“Support from the local community for a Waitomo Fuel Stop in town has been coming in thick and fast, and we’re committed to giving the Ashburton what they want and need – fairer fuel prices that we’re so well known for. 

“Good things come to those who wait – but let’s hope they’re not waiting too much longer.” 

Z Energy decided not to renew its lease of the site on the corner of SH1 and Agnes St in 2023, citing the impact on site access of the impending roadworks and installation of traffic lights at the SH1/Lagmhor Road/Agnes Street intersection. 

Z Energy has another site on SH1 in Ashburton. There are also BP, Mobil, Caltex, and NPD stations in the town. 

-LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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