Mr Kirton said the areas chosen had been carefully considered by council staff as needing attention, with Ahuriri Estuary's latest report showing urgent action was needed.
Eskdale resident Warwick Marshall was quick to stand up and question the council's immediate plan.
He said the estuary had been neglected for years and objected to paying for someone to fix it due to the neglect.
"If it had been maintained by contractors over the last 20 years I would be happy to contribute. The lack of maintenance has resulted in the estuary flowing back on to the road and the pump going around in circles. It is not acceptable."
Tutira was another hot topic with many concerned with the continued lack of action even though it has been an identified problem for a number of years.
Logging truck driver Matt Le Quesne said he couldn't believe the stench he smelt from Lake Tutira when he reached the Devil's Elbow along State Highway Two.
"I can see it from my truck window it is in a terrible state and nothing seems to get done, and top dressing planes continue to fly over the catchment."
A man who lived in Tutira said he wanted to see action rather than just reports.
"Thousands of dollars has been spent on these reports and I want to see some solutions actually done. Water continues to drift off the state highway in to the lake and nothing has been contained."
Mr Bailey agreed and said he was also sick of "talky, talky" and wanted to help council get out and do something.
"We are going to go ahead with the solutions and will look at things such as fencing and changing the land use."
After much debate and discussion, Mr Dick said he was pleased with the first of four public meetings.
"I encourage people to make submissions as the council is significantly resourced but there are also practical people who live in the community that offer solutions."
Submissions can be made to council up until Friday May 12 at 4pm.
Public meeting are being held in Waipawa tonight from 5.30pm-7pm, in Havelock North tomorrow night from 5.30pm-7pm and in Wairoa on Thursday night from 5.30pm-7pm.