Clutha district councillors will today decide how to fund new sewerage schemes in two South Otago townships, but residents there remain frustrated with the process.
Phil Barrett, a member of the Benhar Consultative Committee, said the group was "quite frustrated" with information provided to councillors and the public by council staff during the whole process.
"The main feeling in Benhar is outrage. Most of the people in the village are outraged by the way we've been treated and don't feel like we have been listened to."
Earlier, the group voted to support the council's preferred option, under which about 52% of the capital costs of establishing the new schemes would be spread over all other sewerage ratepayers throughout the district.
However, Mr Barrett was concerned that no final costings had been provided before councillors vote on a funding scheme today.
Estimates for the cost of the sewerage schemes are $1 million for Benhar and $623,000 for Tokoiti.
A report to councillors stated 869 submissions were made on the proposed Benhar and Tokoiti schemes - townships which comprise a total of about 74 properties.
Earlier this year, 116 submissions were made on the council's 2011-12 annual plan, including 53 about the sewerage schemes.
Mr Barrett disagreed with the council's submission form which was posted to residents, saying it was more of a survey than a submission form.
"Most submission forms are blank, not questions with tick boxes for answers."
Colin Child, a member of the Tokoiti Community Group, said many residents had "given up".
"It's been a very difficult time and some have said we can only hope for a miracle."
Most residents in Tokoiti were supportive of a higher district contribution and did not support the council's preferred funding scheme.
He said the issues raised at Tokoiti and Benhar would not go away as other smaller communities would be affected in the future when the Clutha District Council looked at sewage disposal systems in other townships.
Tokoiti residents have also highlighted boundary issues - the community was rated as a part of Milton in some areas but considered its own township in others.
Under the council's existing rating policy, the cost of building the schemes would mean an annual sewerage rate of about $1856 per property for Benhar and $2206 for Tokoiti.
Residents maintain this would be an unaffordable burden.
Clutha residents can address the council on sewerage funding options at its meeting today.
