Mayor determined to protect district's identity as potential merger looms

Selwyn's mayor says she is determined to protect the district's identity as Canterbury councils consider local government amalgamations and a potential Greater Christchurch merger.

The government has given councils three monthsto decide how they want local government reorganised or risk having a new structure imposed from Wellington.

Councils have until 9 August to submit amalgamation proposals.

Local Government Minister Simon Watts said the plans should focus on creating "larger, more efficient unitary authorities that streamline functions, reduce duplication and improve decision-making".

Selwyn mayor Lydia Gliddon said the "incredibly short" timeframe did not leave enough scope for proper consultation with ratepayers but the district needed to be a part of a proposal rather than risk its fate being determined by others.

"It's particularly difficult but you just deal with what you've got in front of you and get on with it," she said.

"I've always said that we're going to be the shaper of our own destiny and we are working through at the moment sort of some comms for our community to actually start to gauge our community's thoughts because ultimately at the end of the day everything that we do is based for our people here. I recognise that the timeframe is tight and it potentially could be a little bit unorthodox but we'll work through what that looks like."

A Greater Christchurch super city model has been touted, with the support of Christchurch City Council, but Waimakariri and Selwyn ratepayers have expressed reservations.

Gliddon said she was in talks with Canterbury mayors, including in Christchurch and Waimakariri, but it was too early to say what Selwyn's proposal might look like.

"While we're not so far through a process that we have an option in front of us, we are progressing discussions with our neighbours and seeing how they are dealing with this as well," she said

"The biggest conversation that we're having are what are the functions that we've got to deal with and who is best suited to deliver those. So that is the most important thing is to actually get a good understanding of what this might look like and where there are natural synergies and where we can work together to deliver efficiency."

Gliddon said a bottom line in any merger negotiations would be protecting Selwyn's identity.

"That's the strongest thing that I hear from my community is their identity. I think that's a non-negotiable," she said.

"Yes, people travel to Christchurch for work and what not but they choose to live here and so that leans into that identity, if you're part of Christchurch, you're part of Christchurch, but have people coming here for a good reason," she said.

Selwyn remained the fastest growing district in the country.

Gliddon said the local government reforms would be a key talking point at the Canterbury Mayoral Forum's next meeting on 29 May.

The latest Infometrics quarterly economic monitor for the year to March reported that Selwyn's GDP grew 1.5 percent, outpacing national growth of 0.4 percent, with real estate, agriculture, professional services, wholesale and retail the key drivers.

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