As the energy company looks to bring lake levels down, groups including Guardians of Lake Hāwea, the Upper Clutha Angling Club and several others have voiced their concern over the lack of consultation.
Contact Energy head of hydro generation Blair Croall said it had submitted its fast-track application on June 30 and was still awaiting approval.
In the meantime, it had been engaging with community groups, he said.
"It could take around three months to find out if we qualify, and there’s no guarantee we will," he said.
"We’re actively engaging with the Guardians of Lake Hāwea and other community groups, and will continue to do so."
Guardians of Lake Hāwea chairman Geoff Kernick said engaging with them was not the same as consulting.
"One of the issues that we have is consultation is a two-way street, whereas engaging is telling someone what you’re doing," he said.
The group’s continued frustration with the company was that their viewpoints were not taken on board, he said.
As no official community consultations had taken place, he was also unhappy that Contact Energy was depending on the Guardians of Lake Hāwea to update locals about the process.
"They want us to be the ones that are telling the community what’s going on."
Group member James Barringer echoed that view, saying Contact often engaged with the group by informing them of decisions rather than asking for their perspective.
"You get the impression that whether you agree or disagree with the reasons, that the decision’s already been made," he said.
He felt that although the company did listen to their concerns, he was not sure it would have much of an impact on its decisions.
Mr Croall said only once the application was approved would the company begin preparing a full application, which could take up to two years.
"If accepted, we’d have up to two years to prepare a full application. We intend on working closely with local communities and stakeholders throughout the process."
