Councils keep energy trust payouts

The four Wellington region city councils to get energy trust payouts totalling nearly $600,000 seem set to keep the money rather than put it into a community fund.

This is despite all four - Wellington, Porirua, Hutt and Upper Hutt city councils - opposing Hutt Mana Energy Trust's decision to give the bulk of the money to beneficiaries.

Next month the trust is expected to begin paying $1500 to each of its 85,000 customers, including the councils.

The councils have yet to decide how they will use the money but have already indicated they will keep it.