Concerns about the exact cost of implementing a new sewerage scheme in Benhar, and how that cost would be spread around the township, were the major issues aired during the final community meeting before the setting of rating boundaries next week.
More than 30 Benhar residents attended the meeting in Balclutha last night to discuss the boundary issues and to clarify other concerns with Clutha District Council staff and councillors.
The number of properties in the Benhar sewerage scheme could vary from 44 to 52, depending on whether property owners outside the "core" area decide to join the scheme.
The owners of six properties outside the core area and on Mt Wallace Rd or in the "outer" area indicated they would join but did not agree on how much they were willing to pay.
One resident said that although she lived on the fringes of Benhar, she would join the scheme and would pay the same as the core group, while another said he would be in at a discounted rate of $11,875.
If all 52 properties split Benhar's share of the $1.3 million bill equally, the lump sum per property would be $12,899, with the Clutha district funding the remaining $670,000.
However, this figure could change, depending on how many properties outside the core area join; which could mean a cost of up to $13,859 per property.
Residents also raised concerns about when they would be expected to pay lump sums or sewerage rates, with several stating they would not pay for a scheme they did not yet have. A decision on whether to rate for the new sewerage scheme this coming financial year would be made by the council as part of the annual plan process for 2012-13.
A special council meeting next Thursday will decide which properties will be a part of the scheme, and how much they will pay.
