The Clutha District Council said yesterday analysis of submissions to its Southern Water Done Well consultation, which ended on June 6, showed unnamed parties had attempted "distortion" of the process by making multiple submissions against its preferred option.
The council is considering whether to form a jointly council-controlled organisation (CCO) with the Waitaki, Central Otago and Gore District Councils to manage water services infrastructure and delivery.
On Tuesday, Waitaki District Mayor Gary Kircher said a "concerted" campaign of misinformation in his district had "skewed" consultation outcomes.
Clutha District Mayor Bryan Cadogan said councillors had expressed frustration at a similar "distortion" of the process in Clutha.
"[There has been] a distinct manipulation of the natural flow of public sentiment with a bundle of over 40 being submitted by one person and numerous multiple submissions.
"The process is not a referendum, and each submission will be considered on its merits," he said.
Clutha received 393 submissions; 25 submitters spoke to their feedback at hearings last week.
Council chief executive Steve Hill said a majority of Clutha’s submissions had opted against the joint CCO, preferring an in-house business unit be formed to manage water.
However, public feedback was just one element forming part of the council’s eventual decision.
"A significant number of submitters (78%) preferred to keep water services within council," Mr Hill said.
"Legislation, regulations, expert advice and evidence will all be taken into consideration."
He said the law allowed councils to give relative weight to submissions.
"Council may consider a well-reasoned submission with evidence to be more effective than multiple submissions without evidence."
During hearings, key concerns raised included loss of local control and accountability, increased bureaucracy and debt, and a failure to deliver purported cost savings.
Waitaki received about 300 submissions, of which 54% favoured retaining water management in-house.
Waitaki will decide on a final water services delivery model on July 8, and Clutha on July 10.
