💧 HUTT CITY IN CRISIS: $100M Pipe Disaster Uncovered, Mayor Under Pressure

🚨 A Storm Beneath the Streets

Lower Hutt’s city council is facing major scrutiny after investigations revealed skyrocketing water infrastructure costs and alarming governance failures. What began as a routine review into pipe replacement expenses has now exploded into political chaos. Consequently, public confidence in council leadership has plummeted.

🏛️ Mayoral Fallout: Campbell Barry Under Pressure to Resign

Although Mayor Campbell Barry has not officially stepped down, mounting political pressure suggests that his position is rapidly becoming untenable. As controversies over the Wellington Water cartel and unchecked financial practices deepened, Barry struggled to defend his administration. Therefore, calls for his resignation have grown louder, making it increasingly difficult for him to continue.

💸 Pipe Dreams or Pipe Nightmares?

Over the past few years, the cost of replacing water pipes in Hutt City has surged dramatically:

• In 2020, replacing a kilometer of pipe cost approximately $0.5 million.

• Within two years, this figure jumped to $1 million per kilometer.

• By 2025, replacement costs reportedly skyrocketed to $2 million per kilometer.

Despite these massive increases, council officials failed to monitor spending trends or compare costs against other councils. As a result, ratepayers have been left without vital information about how much infrastructure needs replacing — or why costs escalated so severely.

📉 A Billion-Dollar Oversight

The water infrastructure backlog has ballooned out of control. In 2020, reports estimated a replacement cost of $120 million. However, by 2025, the same backlog is projected to cost over $450 million. Meanwhile, the council’s draft annual plan offers no clear strategy to reverse this troubling trend.

Moreover, only Councillor Tony Stallenger voted against the draft plan, signaling deep concerns within parts of the council.

⚖️ Accountability Under Fire

Given the scale of the problem, many now question how such a crucial, billion-dollar project lacked proper commercial oversight. In contrast to previous infrastructure challenges, this emerging scandal could rival — or even surpass — the financial damage of Hutt’s infamous Center City Plaza project. Consequently, trust in council leadership continues to erode.

🗳️ Meet the Mayoral Candidates

Amid the turmoil, two strong candidates have emerged to contest the October 11 election. Both offer bold, but very different, visions for Hutt City’s recovery.

📸 Brady Dyer: Business-Driven Reformer

Brady Dyer, entrepreneur and former councillor, promises major changes if elected:

• RiverLink Project: Dyer backs this major infrastructure upgrade aimed at enhancing flood protection and reducing traffic congestion.

• Fiscal Transparency: He pledges a full audit of council finances to ensure that every dollar benefits the community directly.

• Business Support: Recognizing how hard rate hikes have hit local businesses, Dyer vows to create a more affordable, thriving economy.

In addition to his council experience, Dyer has founded successful businesses like Brady Dyer Photography and Firefly Cinemas.

🎓 Karen Morgan: Community-Focused Leader

Karen Morgan, educator and sitting councillor, emphasizes a community-first approach:

• Social Cohesion: Morgan aims to rebuild stronger community ties, particularly in the wake of the pandemic.

• Diverse Representation: She is committed to fostering inclusive leadership and amplifying underrepresented voices.

• Job Creation Through RiverLink: Morgan sees RiverLink as a critical opportunity to create employment for local residents.

Having led Taita College for seven years, Morgan brings deep leadership and management experience to the table.

📆 A Critical Election Approaches

As October 11 draws closer, Hutt City faces a pivotal choice. Will voters prioritize Dyer’s business-driven fiscal reform, or Morgan’s emphasis on community resilience? Either way, the election outcome will shape the future of Lower Hutt for years to come.