The low response has been called "poor" by Waitaki Ratepayers and Residents Association chairman Ray Henderson, who said the council failed to reach out to the public.
The council, which had received 59 submissions by noon yesterday, had taken "a real downturn" in making information and forms available, which meant those who wanted to share their thoughts had to go out of their way to do so.
He acknowledged the council was trying to improve communications and there had been positive changes, but much of it had been on social media or its website.
"In Oamaru there’s a lot of people who won’t know what online is."
The failure was not just on the council, but also on "apathetic" Waitaki residents.
"People can’t be bothered."
He encouraged everybody to make a submissions and follow up whatever topics they were passionate about by contacting elected representatives and speaking at public forums.
The council could be responsive to those who spoke up and the more noise made, the better.
"I encourage everybody to make submissions."
A council spokesman said it generally only received between 40 and 80 responses and last year was an exception with 248.
"We received a higher number of submissions to the annual plan as one of the big topics was funding levels for the Waitaki Events Centre, which created more community interest."
The council had spent $2200 on advertising the plan.
"Council is proposing an average 13.73% rate rise this year and wanted to ensure the advertising was as cost-effective as possible."
Advertising was done in newspapers, community newsletters, social media and radio.
It would not consider extending the submission period to allow for more feedback.
Submissions close at 5pm today.
