Southland District councillors have shown support for next steps to be taken on a proposal to combine southern councils.
First announced on August 14 by Mayor Rob Scott, the shake-up would reduce the region’s four councils into two unitary authorities: one district-based and one unitary-based.
Early work suggested the region was over-governed for its population of 100,000, with potential to save at least $10 million annually by combining councils.
If successful, the commission would then begin an investigation.
Mr Scott said he did not see the move as an amalgamation, but rather a "reorganisation".
"The system that we’re working in at the moment has been in place for over 30 years," Mr Scott said.
"I think we’re in a very, very different climate today than we were in 1989-1990."
But not everybody in the room agreed with that vision.
Cr Don Byars said Auckland had shown amalgamation failed to create efficiencies.
"There’s no evidence to suggest through this report that bigger bureaucracies create efficiencies, and I think most people have a sense that that is true," Cr Byars said.
Cr Paul Duffy said it was important to look at examples which were similar to Southland, such as Tasman and Gisborne.
He supported the report, saying it was a timely exercise to undertake.
Cr Sarah Greaney said ratepayers had made it known it was a change they were looking for.
Deputy mayor Christine Menzies said it would be hard to argue the move would not be in the interest of ratepayers.
However, Cr Derek Chamberlain questioned whether it was wise for the council to invest money in the proposal without first gaining the support of other councils.
A preliminary forward planning report for the proposal suggested a visit be made to other unitary councils at the top of the South Island to gain knowledge on how they operate.
Further financial analysis was also needed to determine likely costs and savings, the report said.
The four councils in the proposed amalgamation are Southland District Council, Invercargill City Council, Gore District Council and regional council Environment Southland.
The proposal to merge the councils has received mixed responses from neighbouring authorities.
• LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
