It comes after Yass Valley Council resolved, at the September meeting, to place the Gundaroo Sewerage Scheme Options Study on exhibition until 5pm on November 7.

The council, along with the developers, engaged NSW Public Works Advisory to undertake the options study.

Currently, onsite treatment systems manage sewage and treated effluent – these systems require residents to operate and maintain them.

For collection and transport, the options study recommend the gravity sewerage system based on the ‘significant benefits’ it provides and having comparable cost to other options.

For sewage treatment and effluent management, the study recommend the oxidation pond with evaporation or irrigation of pasture.

“It is the lowest capital and operating cost option and has been used successfully in many locations,” the study stated.

Ian Jones, president of Friends of Gundaroo, said the study did not adequately address a number of issues, including whether there was a need for a sewage treatment plant (STP).

“It does not address whether there is a genuine need for an STP in Gundaroo for any other reason other than to allow a small number of developers to sell properties.

“We don’t believe it is the function of council to expend $8m plus and provide a 20- or 30-year financial burden on shire finances to help developers maximise their profit.

“Judgements should not be based on the fact that a study has been done, but on whether there is a need for this solution and whether it is affordable to the village and the shire,” he said.

Similarly, a spokesperson from the Gundaroo Community Association said the proposals all were “likely to involve substantial cost and disruption to the village, which also includes decommissioning existing systems”.

“GCA asks residents to consider the overall benefit to the village, considering most have invested significantly in on-site sewage management systems, the majority of which, according to a recent council survey, are working well,” the spokesperson said.

Mr Jones also said that an adequate supply of reticulated water would be needed.

“The scheme proposed is similar to the scheme established in Murrumbateman, where a pipeline is being provided to supply potable water from Yass.

“No such scheme seems to be proposed for Gundaroo, and would be an expensive cost to the resources of the shire.

“Many Gundaroo residences are currently required often to purchase water; the water required to successfully operate an STP would seem likely to make this situation worse,” he said.

Council allocated $50,000 from the sewer fund for the study. For council to construct a Gundaroo scheme, a grant funding contribution is needed.

Robert Fish, the council’s director of engineering, said a portion of the construction costs “need to be grant-funded to limit or avoid any impact on residents”.

He said the scheme was expected to be eligible for the NSW Government’s $1 billion Safe and Secure Water Program.​

“The program is expected to operate for about 10 years with councils able to apply for funding at any time.

“Under the guidelines, Yass Valley Council is eligible for up to 50 per cent funding for a project,” he said.

Council will hold a community forum at the Gundaroo Soldier's Memorial Hall on Tuesday October 17 at 7pm to provide more details about the options study and to answer any questions.