Selwyn’s Mayor says squabbling over tolling neighbouring districts is an unnecessary distraction from Canterbury’s amalgamation discussions.

Christchurch City councillor Sam MacDonald suggested tolling the neighbouring Selwyn and Waimakariri districts if merger plans with the city are refused, suggesting the other councils need to pay their fair share.

Selwyn Mayor Lydia Gliddon wants the focus to be on what is the best proposal for Canterbury, not councillors from neighbouring districts getting into slanging matches over tolls.

“I don’t think it’s particularly helpful and a distraction to the conversations that need to be had,” Gliddon said.

“The Government has made it clear that it wants councils to work together and develop locally-led proposals.

Gliddon said while there will naturally be different views, the regions is best served by focusing on the opportunities and challenges ahead.

The Government has given councils a deadline of August 9 to develop a reform proposal, or risk having it imposed on them.

“I think the process naturally creates some tension because councils and communities are being asked to consider structures that could fundamentally change how they operate and how services are delivered,” Gliddon said.

“However, that tension shouldn't be confused with an inability to work together. In fact, it makes it even more important that councils engage constructively and have honest conversations.”

Christchurch Mayor Phill Mauger was unavailable for comment as he was in China on a Sister City visit.

MacDonald sparked controversy last week by suggesting if Selwyn and Waimakariri do not amalgamate with Christchurch, the neighbouring districts could be tolled to enter the city.

"Do we put toll roads on and sort of insist that they can't come in without finally paying their fair share?”

Selwyn Councillor Samuel Wilshire hit back at the claims, suggesting Selwyn residents “paid for these services, through taxes”.

On his social media page, he listed the examples of taxpayer funding the city council projects have received, which included One NZ Stadium Te Kaha, Christchurch Cathedral, Canterbury Museum and Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre.

Wilshire also listed the around $2.9 billion of taxpayer funding put towards the cities “horizontal infrastructure -pipes, roads, and water networks” and CBD anchor projects.

In comparison, Selwyn has had no taxpayer funding “besides co-funding roading projects”, he said.

Wilshire said that Selwyn “house, water and entertain” a large portion of the cities work force, and the benefits flowed in both directions.

“Without Selwyn and Waimakariri, Christchurch residents would be hungry, sober and naked”.

Selwyn councillor Tracey Macleod suggested MacDonald missed the point that he will also be tolling Christchurch people “to leave their city and come back but thinks only Selwyn and Waimak people will pay”.

Gliddon said the focus needs to be on the task at hand, coming up with regional agreement on a head start proposal, considering its impacts on the various communities.

“The first step is agreeing on the broad direction and what success looks like for Canterbury.

“However, we can't ignore the practical realities.

“Issues such as water services, existing debt, assets, service levels, and funding arrangements will have a significant impact on communities and ratepayers.”

 By Jonathan Leask