Anger over ‘costly’ Hutt toilet block
How much does it cost to build two loos and cover up a small electricity sub-station?
That’s the question that Hutt City councillor Campbell Barry is asking after his council spent $520,000 doing just that.
It recently unveiled the Riddiford Pavilion featuring two new toilets costing $260,000. Covering up a substation and a small barbecue area cost a further $260,000.
The pavilion is next to the council’s main administration building in the central city. Barry said the money could have been spent on more worthwhile projects in other parts of the city.
He highlighted Naenae Park, where he said kids playing sport were changing in a shipping container because the council facilities were unusable.
Council chief executive Tony Stallinger said the cost was consistent with other similar public toilet developments and the council was ‘‘comfortable’’ that it represented value for money.
Barry described the toilet block as ‘‘grandiose’’ and said it was part of a massive overspend on Riddiford Gardens.
In 2014, the council set a budget of $5 million to upgrade the gardens. So far, it had spent $9.8m, not including the $520,000.
Barry posted his concerns about the pavilion cost on social media, asking whether the council had got value for money.
Michelle Genet asked if the toilet bowls were ‘‘gold-plated’’ and Marina Dixon said the price was ridiculous. ‘‘People build whole houses for less.’’
Meanwhile, Ben Morgan said it was a ‘‘beautiful addition’’ to the city. ‘‘I’m stoked with what they’ve put there and outside a council building at a public park, half a million isn’t entirely huge.’’
Barry told Morgan he agreed it
Councillor Campbell Barry highlights Naenae Park, where kids playing sport are changing in this shipping container.
was a ‘‘nice facility’’ and would get plenty of use. It was the cost he objected to.
‘‘For councils across the country, new toilet blocks cost between $80,000 and $100,000, and that includes all of the underground work.
‘‘The other issue which is difficult to stomach is the condition of facilities in other parts of the city. They are truly in a terrible state, and have had no money for a long time.’’
Dave McKenzie was unimpressed by the new loos. ‘‘We have been there and the door would not shut on one and on the other, the door would not lock.’’
Bon Wright did not hold back. ‘‘Absolute bull..., if you ask me. How can you justify that amount of money being spent on that? Totally outrageous.’’
Stallinger posted promising to look into the dodgy doors and defended the new loos.
He also rejected claims the council was neglecting other parts of the city. He pointed out that a community hub and upgrade of Naenae Pool would cost $18m.