A proposal to create a sewage pipeline from Pounawea to Owaka has drawn criticism from an Owaka resident who fears it will limit the township's development.
The proposal to pump sewage from the Pounawea Camping Ground to Owaka to solve a long-standing discharge problem at a council-owned camping ground is due to come before the Clutha District Council today.
The council will decide whether to approve increasing the camping ground's budget to $310,000 for the construction of a new pumping station and pipeline to Owaka.
Owaka motel owner Trevor Hewson said he was concerned the proposal would affect landowners' future property developments by using up the extra capacity.
"What happens if everyone in Pounawea wants to hook up? If the council is going to spend $310,000 pumping sewage to Owaka, they will have to spend another $300,000 upgrading the Biofiltro system in the future."
Council district assets manager Jules Witt said about 100 additional connections would have to be made before the capacity of the Owaka sewerage system was used up, and if this happened, the existing Owaka system could be expanded.
"For every new connection, Owaka gets about $3000 to help pay off its loan."
Mr Hewson also raised concerns about the spending of ratepayers' money on the camping ground's sewerage - the camping ground business is run by a lessee - and said the council needed to consider other options.
Voluntary connection to the scheme is estimated to cost almost $15,000 per property.
Under the proposal, the system would initially be available to properties alongside the direct pipeline route and extensions would only go ahead if there was sufficient interest to warrant a pipe extension.
Mr Witt said the council was due to approve the proposal today, but residents were welcome to attend if they had any concerns to raise.
If approved, the council would discuss possible risks and impacts to Owaka with residents, and talk to Pounawea residents to gauge interest in voluntary connections to the extension, he said.
