An official group has formed to identify flood management issues following the June floods.
The group, made up of executive and flood management staff from Horizons Regional Council and the Wanganui District Council, was established last week.
Horizons chief executive Michael McCartney said there had been a lot of community interest around what would happen in regard to Wanganui's flood protection.
"Working together with Wanganui District Council we will prioritise and programme issues for investigation," he said.
"This will subsequently lead to considering immediate need and long-term options further down the track. However, all options will be brought to both councils and the community for consideration."
The move would allow co-ordinated work between the councils and the ability to make appropriate resources available, Mr McCartney said.
Some activities would be "better suited" for one council over the other, so the group would identify which would handle certain tasks.
Mayor Annette Main welcomed the collaborative approach.
"It is important our community fully understands the risks and the cost of the options identified," she said.
"Each council has a role to play, but it is important we work together for the benefit of our community."
The group plans to hold its first meeting no later than October 16, then meetings will be held bimonthly.