My opinion is that it is time to draw a line under the debate of H2O and the ensuing controversy as to the cost, cost overruns and the conspiracy theories as to who got the contract to build. I believe that H2O is a nice to have that benefits all the community if they choose to use it, elderly, and those with mobility issues, individual swimmers wanting to improve fitness. Schools learning to swim programmes. Parents and their kids having fun especially when the waves start. I must get back into the habit of going in the morning to aqua jog.

What is of more concern is the report in today’s post, about a $2.6b hole in new water entity’s budget that exceeds the budgeted $6.82b needed for the first 10 years across the new water entities controlling councils. This as well as Wellington’s sludge plant cost creeping to close to half a billion while this is not a direct cost to Upper Hutt, it will impact on any combined service across councils. If we want to spotlight overspends then we could focus on Wellington Water who paid more than they should have to a contracting firm. We didn’t get value for money.

If the objective in pool bashing is to discredit the current council’s management, then I am certain that the arrows have made a hit. The choice we have is to not vote for the current council and or Mayor. For my part I like the pool it is, nice to have, but should I be elected to council I will be rightly, cautioned by the public’s concern for overspending on the nice to haves going forward. We need, as a community, leadership that is focused on seeking central government assistance to aid our regions water infrastructure needs while managing a budget that keeps a reign on our rates. This shouldn’t consign the community however, to dull and boring, by continued opposition to some, nice to haves, that as a community gives us a lifestyle and supports social cohesion. Let’s continue to make Upper Hutt a place to live and a way of life.

Teresa Homan (Nice to have) candidate for Upper Hutt City Council   

A “thank you” to Teresa Homan for sending this article to The Upper Hutt Connection.

13/08/25