Lobbying tactics proved ineffective to stopping the scheme and so opponents turned to political action in order to dissuade local politicians.

[2] The United Independents won five seats and held the balance of power between the long established Citizens & Ratepayers and Labour Party tickets.

By allowing the Citizens & Ratepayers to appoint their preferred candidates to committee chairmanships they desired, the United Independents were in turn able to seize control of the Drainage Board and halt Brown's Island development.

[2] The United Independents then proposed an alternative scheme for oxidation ponds to be built in Manukau Harbour near Māngere which would break down the sewage naturally, a new technique pioneered in California, which was approved.

The United Independents did not contest the ensuing Mayoral by-election which saw Citizens & Ratepayers candidate Keith Buttle defeat Labour's John Stewart.