The next step in investigating setting up a new regional council for the central South Island area will be taken in March, when five district mayors meet to discuss progress.
Waitaki, Waimate, Mackenzie, Timaru and Ashburton District Councils have been investigating breaking away from the Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury) and forming their own region.
The proposal follows growing dissatisfaction within the five districts at their dealings with the Christchurch-based regional council.
That led to funding a $100,000 business study, completed in November, which looked at how a new regional council would work, and the cost to ratepayers.
It found rates could increase 5% to 7%.
The mayors will meet in Waimate on March 2 to discuss progress.
