The status quo is "unsustainable", Waitaki’s mayor says after the government ordered councils to come up with amalgamation plans or have it done for them.
Wellington was accused of treating local government like its "plaything" by one Waitaki councillor.
Another said there was a "real risk" the process under way could lead to a loss of local voice "if done badly".
But elected representatives said doing nothing was not an option.
A three-month deadline for voluntary involvement in the proposed shake-up of local authorities was announced by RMA Reform and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Local Government Minister Simon Watts on Tuesday.
Mr Bishop said there was "strong support" for change and many councils wanted "more flexibility" to get on with reforms.
Councils had three months to put forward proposals to "simplify and strengthen local government" in their regions or they would have their structure imposed on them by the government, the ministers said.
The government-imposed timeline was described as "rushed" by Waitaki District Mayor Mel Tavendale, when contacted by the Oamaru Mail.
Rural councils were being "lumped with unworkable costs from central government, and the status quo is unsustainable", she said.
Responding to Mail questions on behalf of all councillors, Mrs Tavendale said a loss of local decision-making was "absolutely a risk".
It was a risk elected representatives would be "working to minimise".
"It is hugely important for our community that, in the rush of timeframes set by central government, we get an improved outcome for our community."
Asked if she supported amalgamation, Mrs Tavendale answered indirectly.
"I support change and getting the best outcome for Waitaki, whether this be amalgamation, shared services or some other arrangement."
Responding separately, Cr Jim Hopkins called the present reforms the "biggest change" in local government since those in 1989, which paved the way for the councils and structure we know today.
On the one hand, the reforms demonstrated that politicians in Wellington "regard local government as parliament’s plaything".
But at least the government was allowing councils to work together "to produce our own solutions".
Cr Brent Cowles said his initial reaction was that the timelines were "very tight", and not ideal given councils were in the middle of annual plans and water reforms.
Doing nothing "isn’t really an option", he said.
"It could lead to loss of local voice if it’s done badly — that’s a real risk and I won’t pretend otherwise," Cr Cowles said.
"The other side of the coin is that doing nothing carries the same risk in reverse.
"If our region doesn’t lead its own reform, Wellington imposes a structure on us.
"That’s just as likely to leave communities like Otematata, Kurow, Hampden, Ōmārama and our wider rural Waitaki Valley with less voice, not more."
Local representation needed to be "designed in from the start" and "not bolted on at the end".
Cr Frans Schlack said the terminology "amalgamation" sent the "wrong signal" but there needed to be change and reorganisation, in his personal response.
"The current structure results in inconsistencies, confusion and triplication of regulations and enforcements and the consequence of that is cost to ratepayers, residents and development within our district," Cr Schlack said.
"This reorganisation of local government that Wellington is enforcing on us is the epitome of how not to go about it logistically."
Government announcements at the end of last year had "created an avalanche of cost" and drew on councillors’ and staff time "because our federal politicians couldn’t organise a barbecue right outside a butcher shop if they tried".
Cr Jeremy Holding said any reorganisation had to "protect local voice and accountability".
Cr Dan Lewis said he supported "efficiency" but was "concerned" at the pace of the reform and an unrealistic time frame.
"The primary issue facing local government currently is the funding structure, and there has been no indication that this is going to be addressed."
A joint statement was released this week by mayors across Otago, including Mrs Tavendale, stating that discussions around amalgamation had already been taking place but that the announcement "certainly sharpens the focus".
"The issues involved are complex and will create uncertainty, but there is also an opportunity to look at how we best position ourselves to shape the future for the communities we all serve," the statement said. — additional reporting Steve Hepburn
