At its meeting yesterday, the council decided to delay a decision on the targeted rating areas for the Benhar sewerage scheme and whether four properties could join at a discounted rate.
Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan suggested the council hold one final meeting with Benhar residents to discuss any concerns before voting on which properties would be part of the sewerage scheme. That meeting will be held next Thursday in the Balclutha War Memorial Hall. A special council meeting on March 8 will decide which properties would be a part of the scheme.
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.
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 see a figure of up to $13,859.
Speaking to the council during the public forum, Mt Wallace Rd resident Ray Gouman asked to withdraw from the scheme and said one other neighbour also wished to no longer be a part of the scheme.
Mr Gouman said the council needed to review the figures provided to residents.
Benhar resident Lynelle Barrett said she was relieved to hear the community would get one last chance to voice concerns.
The council voted to adopt the targeted rating area for Tokoiti, which will be included in the 2012-13 draft Long Term Plan.
It also set a lump-sum payment of $8000 for four properties on Back Rd and Tokoiti Rd. These four properties are in a position to connect directly to an existing sewerage system, but indicated they would join the Tokoiti system at a discounted rate.
The inclusion of these properties mean the core Tokoiti properties and the four outer properties which chose to join the scheme would pay a lump sum of about $11,586, instead of $12,239 without them.
Estimates for the cost of the sewerage schemes are $1.3 million for Benhar and $710,000 for Tokoiti.
