Hastings District Council has voted 8–5 to fund the first stage of the Whakatū water network replacement, ending a debate that drew a full public gallery.
We can pay to fix it on our timetable, or we can pay to fix it on the pipe's timetable.
— Cr Marama Whiting
Opponents argued the timing was wrong, and asked for the work to be staged over five years instead of three.
What the money buys
The first stage covers the mains under Whakatū Road and the two feeder lines into the industrial park, both of which have failed twice since 2023.
- Stage one — Whakatū Road mains, starting November
- Stage two — Ruahāpia and Riverbend feeders, 2027
- Stage three — reservoir capacity, subject to a further vote
Council staff put the cost of doing nothing at $31 million over a decade, a figure councillors on both sides of the vote accepted. The full report is on the council's website.
The full debate is available to watch back below.
