And that cost will rise even more because another repaint is planned for this summer.
Springfield man Bill Woods built the most recent incarnation of the donut - and says the Selwyn District Council needs to get onto the job of fixing it.
"You can get (the paint) but you can’t just go and buy them off the shelf," Woods said.
"These paints are available from specialist paint suppliers who know their stuff and the types of paints that will stand up to the rigors of life in Springfield."
Springfield Community Association chair Graeme Dawson said the problem is an ongoing issue and needed a better solution.
“The paint they put on it doesn’t work and it lasts three months. It’s a bit sad really.”
“It’s the council spending ratepayers’ money.”
The donut has been repainted four times since 2020 at a cost of $17,864.57 and will likely be repainted again over summer, but this time the district council believes it will last.
Said council reserves operations manager Jonathan Crawford: "The nature of the donut and its construction presents challenges for maintenance, and we have reviewed the whole process around painting the donut - including preparation, epoxy and paint products - to put together a plan for repainting the donut this financial year.
"This work will be completed when the weather warms and includes work to address a range of issues that should improve the long-term maintenance of the donut."
“It does attract a lot of people stopping to take photographs.”
The original donut was only designed to stay up for about six weeks after it was installed in 2007 to promote The Simpsons Movie.
The Springfield donut was one of many created around the world. But it was popular enough to gain a permanent spot in the township.
Then in 2009 an arson attack left it damaged beyond repair.
For three years a tractor tyre was used in its place until the donut was replaced with the much sturdier concrete version in 2012 which is still in place today.
Additional reporting - John Spurdle, Public Interest Journalism Fund
