Most Ashburton District councillors do not have a preferred council amalgamation option as the issue goes to public consultation.

The councillors voiced their opinions and debated options for the district and narrowed it down to five, with a survey out for residents to rank the competing futures for local government by July 5.

Local Democracy Reporting approached all 10 elected members about which option they favoured for the district, but only three identified a preferred outcome, with the majority saying they wanted to see community feedback before taking a position.

The options:

• Remaining a stand-alone unitary council
• An amalgamation with the South Canterbury councils (with or without Waitaki)
• An amalgamation between Ashburton and Selwyn
• ADC extending to include the Rangitata catchment and rural Selwyn
• Provincial unitary (Ashburton District, rural Selwyn District, rural Waimakariri District, Hurunui District, with or without Kaikōura)

What they said:

Cr Julie Moffett is leaning towards amalgamating with Selwyn.

“Selwyn is similar to Ashburton as it has one main urban centre, several smaller ones, and a large rural area.

“This is a basis for an understanding and synchronicity between the two districts.”

Selwyn could also have “less of an impact on rates than other options”, due to its main urban centres undergoing substantial growth and having new infrastructure.

Moffett acknowledged merging with Selwyn creates a representation imbalance initially and “in time, what people consider as local will change”.

Cr Phill Hooper’s preference is South Canterbury.

He said they are willing partners and create a combined population of over 100,000.

“Although Timaru has 12,000 more people, they aren't a dominant force, and we would still have a powerful local voice at the table.”

“Heading South, we won't get swallowed up by a Christchurch super city”.

An Ashburton unitary isn’t what the Government has in mind for Simplifying Local Government, he said.

“Overheads can kill councils. I think this is an opportunity to have a good look and reorganise some of the structures.”

Cr Deb Gilkison favours a standalone unitary, accepting it may not be a viable option.

“Based on the parameters the Government has set, a standalone Ashburton unitary council may be a long shot.

“But if we don't put it forward and test it, we'll never know.

"My priority is maintaining the strongest possible local voice for Mid Canterbury.”

Cr Carolyn Cameron said she supports three options and her preference is “maybe an Ashburton unitary authority” but admitted the option is “unlikely to be accepted”.

She considers the South Canterbury and Provincial unitary to be viable options.

Cameron would have supported a Canterbury-wide provincial unitary, but it did not make the final five options.

“We need to ensure we have strong local representation, and our voice is not drowned out by larger councils.”

Cr Tony Todd remains adamant Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger needs to indicate his council’s preference to lead the conversation in Canterbury.

At the same time he is advising Christchurch what to do, that “the greater Christchurch option make sense”, Todd was unable to name a preference for his own district.

“At this stage I have an open mind. I will wait for the feedback from the council survey.”

An Ashburton unitary was “originally my first choice” but he is sceptical if it would achieve support from neighbouring councils.

Todd has reservations about a merger with Selwyn as “our influence against a much faster growing Rolleston is a red flag in my mind”.

He felt the provincial Mid-North Canterbury Unitary had merit and a “good economy of scale”, while a South Canterbury merger “will have strong support”.

Mayor Liz McMillan did not provide a preferred option.

“I am keeping an open mind until I review the feedback from the survey and the direction it will provide as we consider the options.”

“Ultimately, I would like to see a balance between improved efficiency and maintaining strong local representation and community identity.”

Deputy Mayor Richard Wilson did not state his preference.

“My decision is not made yet, we still have time to learn.

“Through this whole process, every day we learn a little bit more about what could be the best way forward.”

He would like to support an Ashburton unitary “but at present, I question how we could afford this option”.

“Going south has appeal, as I believe the communities south are like ours and we as districts would work together well.

“Going north provincially is an option, but not with the large urban centre. Our community voice would be in the minority.”

Cr Jeanette Maxwell declined to state a preferred option.

“I am keeping an open mind to all options as I would like to see where the community's preferences lie.

“If we can achieve what would be the preferred option that would be great, but ultimately it is not councils' decision.

“Whatever the outcome, we need to be sure to get the right structures in place and the best representation possible for the Ashburton District.”

Cr Russell Ellis also declined to state a preferred option until the end of the consultation period.

Cr Phill Everest is overseas and was unable to respond by deadline.

By Jonathan Leask