The Queenstown Lakes District Council is pondering whether to join the proposed South Island Strategic Alliance.
Since midway through last year, South Island local government representatives have been discussing the need for South Island councils to work more co-operatively. This would mean working together on joint projects involving two or more councils and a combined approach when dealing with the Government and other stake-holders on certain issues.
Details of the alliance were outlined by QLDC chief executive Stewart Burns in a report to a meeting on Tuesday.
"The outcome of these discussions between mayors, chairs and CEOs of the South Island councils has been a decision to form a South Island Strategic Alliance (SISA).
"It is intended that this grouping will be a coalition of the willing, rather than any structured governance or management structure."
Mr Burns said SISA would be an opportunity to advocate for key issues for all councils in the South Island.
Before adopting the terms of reference this week, several councillors raised questions over the alliance's usefulness and whether they should be looking further afield, such as to the North Island, for more benefit.
Mayor Vanessa van Uden said the alliance would not be mutually exclusive and would still leave room for wider alliances.
Ms van Uden said the alliance would allow for councils to get together efficiently and take the issue to central government or other entities.
No date for forming the alliance was discussed.
