Frustrated flood victims say the Tauranga City Council could face legal action if it does not fast-track stormwater works.
Matua and Mount Maunganui residents planned to use today's council meeting to urge newly elected members to concentrate on fixing their flooding woes, ahead of the draft 2014/2015 annual plan discussions.
The residents have spent tens of thousands of dollars clearing raw sewage and water from their properties.
The previous council promised $43.5 million over five years to flood-proof homes, leading to a 2 per cent rates increase. Work was due to start in 2017.
Residents hoped the new council would opt to fast-track the work and would explore the council's liability for damage caused by previous flooding if no action was taken.
Commons Ave Neighbourhood Support group leader Tony Haslett told Bay of Plenty Times the stormwater work was "core infrastructure" and it was council's job to make sure it was up to scratch.
"Yes, the Greerton Library would be nice to have, a new sporting facility would be nice to have but really they are not necessities, ensuring people's homes are flood-proofed by keeping your stormwater infrastructure up to date is [necessary]. If they don't fast-track this core work then really it is only a matter of time until ratepayers, residents and insurance companies start to question council's inaction and liability.
"That is the next step when you repeatedly put core works off year after year."
A Matua resident, who did not want to be named, said about 1500 people on the Matua peninsula relied on a stormwater system designed in the 1970s for 300 sections.
"It is no wonder we live in fear of raw sewage flowing through our homes,' he said.
"Year after year council puts this work off. It was in the five-year plan, then it was in the 10-year plan then we found out that is going to be scrapped.
"They just need to do this work now. No more excuses.
"If we don't get some kind of help soon we are going to look at legal action, they have not done their job properly for years and they need to be held accountable.
"I understand it is not this new council's fault but it would be great if they could man up and fix it once and for all."
Mr Haslett said he was keen to "raise the flag" with the new council so it understood how serious his community was.
"Council has taken the development fees, we have one of the highest rate takes in Tauranga.
"We have seen no work. Well, we are not prepared to sit back for another term and another, waiting for this to happen."
Deputy Mayor Kelvin Clout told Bay of Plenty Times council would be discussing all the options at today's council meeting but was focused on a "citywide strategy".
"We are all aware that these works are possibly going to be the single, biggest cost item in the foreseeable future," he said.
"We are undertaking modelling work at the moment which will provide a map of the whole city and key areas of flooding.
"Unfortunately, it is not as easy as just going out and funding one or two key spots, we need to take a whole city approach."
Council would also consider the fate of the Tsunami Warning Project, the Greerton Library development and how to allocate the balance of the 2012/2013 financial surplus.