Greater Wellington Regional Council approved plans for an independent panel to review the structure of councils in the region yesterday, a moved supported by chairwoman Fran Wilde.
Ms Wilde said councillors unanimously agreed on a report outlining a process for developing a proposal for local government reform in the Wellington region.
The proposal would be put to the Local Government Commission in October.
"I think it's important we have other eyes looking at this issue," she said.
A major element of council's proposal is the establishment of the panel to develop a preferred option.