Waitaki First chairwoman Helen Brookes said yesterday Meridian and Environment Canterbury (ECan) pushed for the Christchurch venue for its convenience and to minimise costs.
"I don't think it's a fair go. Local individuals and groups, primarily volunteers and societies, should not have to pick up any costs to attend the appeal [in Christchurch]," she said.
Judge Jackson's decision to schedule some of the hearing in Oamaru and some in Christchurch did not go far enough in giving due regard to the level of public interest in the appeal.
Dr Brookes felt many people would go to a hearing in Oamaru, even if only for a few hours.
When ECan heard Meridian's applications in Timaru in 2007, there were comments few members of the public were present.
"That was because it is North Otago that is affected and this is where the interest is - not in Timaru and definitely not in Christchurch," Dr Brookes said.
Some North Otago people had said they would have liked to attend the 2007 hearings but could not do so because of the time needed to travel to Timaru or Christchurch.
Dr Brookes said when she attended the hearing in Christchurch for Waitaki First, she had to leave her Georgetown home before 5.30am in the morning for a 9.30am start.
"That's a big ask of local people," she said.
Waitaki First is not an appellant, but supports the Waitaki Protection Trust which is.
