Yes Claire, we are also pretty surprised and disgusted at the indicative costs. All we can do at this point is get it out there so as many know as possible so we can all prepare for the potential costs.
From our understanding Kapiti isn’t part of these figures and unsure what their indicative might be.. Currently there is 5 councils for the Wellington region water, being Porirua, Wellington, Hutt, Upper Hutt and Wellington Regional.
All we can go on right now is the Scott Report which was produced in October 2024 where on page 76 it talks about indicative pricings.
We have followed this and questioned Upper Hutt’s Mayor who has been on the Wellington Water Committee, and he has not even sniffed or mentioned the Scott report, even when bought to his attention. We have had Cr Carson also bring up, as we have, that the 2 options given to us were effectively one and the same. Cr Holderness, during the annual plan events mentioned that she was aware of other modelling numbers but has not been able to provide these. The only Upper Hutt councillor who has, in our opinion, been brave enough to throw some indicative numbers around was Cr Swales. This was that the numbers would rise over the next 10 years to around $7-$8k. As much as we did not like these figures, they seem to line up with the Scott Report.
There have been people say they will disconnect from the water and get my own water from tanks/the river etc. Unfortunately, its not that simple. If you live within 100m of a town water source you will be billed for 50% regardless.
Helpful documentation to support.
We are happy to share more and most of it is on the website. So ff you would like to read more have a look here – https://www.nzempowered.com/post/local-water-done-well
A “thank you” to NZ Empowered for sending this letter to The Upper Hutt Connection.
19/06/25
The Upper Hutt Connection 