The public will soon get its chance to put forward opinions on the proposed Benhar and Tokoiti sewerage schemes.
The Clutha District Council has adopted a consultation plan and timeline for the two new schemes, with the formal public consultation process beginning on October 24 and closing on November 21.
Information would be mailed directly to Benhar and Tokoiti ratepayers, but would also be presented to other residents and ratepayers in the November issue of the council newsletter, and in newspapers.
The two townships, one near Balclutha and the other near Milton, have no public sewerage system. Most properties have on-site septic tank systems, but an upgrade to modern standards was required to prevent issues such as sewage discharging at the surface on to neighbouring properties or into waterways, and to meet Otago Regional Council consent conditions.
After considering a range of costs and options since 2005, as part of this year's Annual Plan process, the council resolved that new community sewage disposal schemes will be implemented for each community by June 30 next year.
It also decided to undertake further consultation with the communities, and the wider public, to resolve who would be on the schemes, how people on the scheme would pay for it, and how other ratepayers in the district could provide assistance with the capital costs of building the schemes.
The questions will form the basis of a formal public consultation process followed by a hearing of submissions on December 1.
Submissions and feedback received will help inform the council's final decision, to be made at its meeting on December 15.
Council's current preferred funding option for the new schemes would see about 60% of the capital costs of establishing the new schemes spread over all other sewerage ratepayers throughout the district.
