User Properties during compiles

Is there a way to reference the User Properties on a file during the ant builds? (we are using AntEE on z/OS). I have a number of parts that I want to add some extra compiler options on without having to actually create a new language definition/translator.

I've created a rexx translator with the Default Options :

ALTERNATE CEXEC COMPILE IEXEC SLINE ${COMPILER_OPTION}

I then added User Properties to my files for COMPILER_OPTION and I was hoping the rexx translator would pick up and fill in for each file as it compiles. However it seems to be ignoring the COMPILER_OPTION flag.

Should this be working and I have something set up wrong?

Thanks
Rob.