Contracts for a $14 million sewerage scheme in Ruakaka have already been signed but a group of disgruntled residents are still determined to hold a public meeting to vent their dissatisfaction.
Whangarei District councillors last week approved two contracts worth $9 million for the Ruakaka South Sewer Extension project.
The council ran two public meetings over the summer to inform residents of plans for the project and gauge their support. With costs of $10,000 per household, and more for non-residential premises, the council was looking for a mandate of at least 75 per cent support.
The council say they got their mandate, but some residents are saying the process was flawed.
Bream Bay Club president Brian Smith said the meeting he attended in January was the "most unprofessional meeting I've ever been to in my life", with many people turned away because of lack of space and those inside not able to hear what was being said because of a radio playing in the background.
Mr Smith said he had been approached by numerous community members who still have unanswered questions and/or didn't believe their opposition to the scheme was registered by the council. Mr Smith said he would be inviting the mayor and councillors to a meeting at the club on Sunday, at which he hopes they will be able to answer people's questions.
Seventy-seven-year-old pensioner Norrie Kelleway says he wants to know how the council expects him to find an extra $10,000 from his superannuation payments. When he first heard how much he will have to pay, he thought he'd have to sell his house and move out.
He has since reconsidered.
"I've said that I'll refuse to pay it and they can get it when I croak it."
Mr Kelleway, who is on a fixed income, said it would be very difficult for him to come up with the money, even if the payments are spread over five years.
Ruakaka Ward councillor Shelley Deeming, who chaired the public meeting in January, conceded that the venue had been too small but said that people have had ample opportunity to voice their opinions.
Most people at the meeting were in support of the scheme, and this was backed up by the feedback forms received by council, Councillor Deeming said.
Of the 218 forms received by the council, 162 (74 per cent) were in support of connecting to the sewerage scheme.
Council staff say they sent more than 500 feedback forms out to households in the area. In any case, the consultation period was over and the project has been given the go-ahead.
Mr Smith said the meeting will go ahead regardless and, if the disaffected residents are still not satisfied after the meeting, they may apply to the Local Government Minister for help.