Five Stewartry councillors have criticised the public events schedule for the Galloway National Park consultation.
The Scottish Government reporter in charge of the process, NatureScot, has announced 16 dates for people to have their say.
Venues include Kirkcudbright, Kippford and Carsphairn – but neither Castle Douglas nor Dalbeattie.
Now councillors Pauline Drysdale, Kim Lowe, Ian Blake, Iain Howie and John Young have written to NatureScot asking why the towns are not listed.
Their joint email states: “Can you please advise us why there are no consultations planned in Castle Douglas and Dalbeattie as both towns will be affected?
“Also, please advise as to why the majority of consultations will be during the day as this does not meet the needs of the working population?
“Finally, why are no consultations taking place between December 4 and January 9?”
This latest move comes as the consultation on establishing a Galloway National Park is scheduled to go live today.
NatureScot decided public events would be “most useful” to people in the area if they complemented the formal consultation from November onward and indicated there could be leeway in expanding the meetings schedule.
The agency stated: “We are pleased to outline the public events which have been confirmed so far.
“The events announced will be facilitated by independent consultants, on behalf of NatureScot, and all attendees will be supported to feel free to share their thoughts and opinions in a safe environment.
“There will be sessions within each event asking for responses on different topics, and interactive boards and spaces, as well as opportunities to leave anonymous feedback, and to complete a consultation leaflet in writing.”
Gatehouse, Dalry, Dumfries and Dalmellington all feature on the events schedule.
In Wigtownshire, Newton Stewart (twice), Wigtown, Whithorn, Port William and Stranraer (twice) will host events.
Residents in the Whithorn area have also complained that daytime events make attendance difficult or impossible with the only option being to go to Newton Stewart – a round trip of 45 miles.
A NatureScot spokeswoman said: “26 of these formal consultation events are being scheduled, and we will consider adding more events in response to feedback, including in Dalbeattie and Castle Douglas.
“The dates and locations of the events were arranged according to the availability of venues and staff and will run through to the end of January.
“Given the concerns raised by the local community about holding the consultation over the Christmas holiday period, we have not planned any of these consultation events between December 9 and January 9.
“We want to make sure there are events that work for everyone.
“So we have arranged a full schedule of both formal consultation events and drop-in surgeries throughout the area proposed for national park status.”
She added: “The programme is organised around five geographic hubs – Dalmellington/Bellside, Girvan, Kirkcudbright, Newton Stewart and Stranraer, with a meeting also proposed for Dumfries.
“The intention is to have at least one evening meeting for each of these hubs.”