"Those numbers are a real concern to those who have been working really hard to make this work.
"Is the process going to be the same as in other catchments we've seen, such as the Lindis, where it was done by consultants outside of the area, with next to no input from the community?"
Regional council policy planning and resource management director Fraser McRae said the council would be using technical experts from outside the area to make sure the job was done with "expertise, understanding and clarity."
The four suggested minimum flows were never meant to be presented as the only options, he said.
Otago Chamber of Commerce chief executive Dougal McGowan said locals with expertise were encouraged to be involved in the process.
Mr Kelliher is seeking re-election to the regional council in the Dunstan constituency by-election.
Mr McRae said the council was legally required to stop over-allocation of water on the river.
"We're coming out of mining privileges, which were issued a long time ago, without any environmental consideration."
If people were concerned about the process they needed to make submissions, he said.
"You cannot rock up at the end of that whole process involving the public and go 'I'm not happy'."
When minimum flows are set the catchment will probably be divided into different measurement sites to ensure an equity of allocation at different sections along the river.
Oturehua farmer Ken Gillespie said minimum flows on parts of the river were already set by the Environment Court.
"There was so much consultation that went into setting that; why should we change it now?"
