A group of Western Bay of Plenty residents are determined the Western Bay be governed by one council chief executive by 2016, despite the district council announcing a new chief executive.

The group, including leading businesspeople, plan to make an application to the Local Government Commission to amalgamate the Tauranga City Council and the Western Bay of Plenty District Council within two months.

Bay of Plenty Regional councillor Doug Owens says amalgamation will come at a cost to ratepayers.

Group spokesperson and Carrus Corporation managing director Paul Adams remains confident the application for a unitary authority is the right move.

He says the WBOPDC's announcement of Miriam Taris as its new chief executive on Thursday shows existing politicians are in no hurry to amalgamate.

'The amalgamation has to happen. If councils aren't prepared to move on it themselves then the ratepayers have to do something about it.”

Last week Paul said having two sets of council costs and rules that are not always in-sync is holding back the region's prosperity and future.

Instead, he believes having a unified council will lead to cost savings and alignment of services, rules and regulations, and operational management.

'This is a real win-win for all ratepayers and businesses, who want to see the Western Bay grow and develop into a vibrant community,” says Paul.

But Bay of Plenty Regional councillor Doug Owens is against the move saying it will actually come at a cost of billions of dollars to the ratepayers.

Doug is not surprised that 'frustrated” members of the public want to spur councils into action, but is warning the group to not let self-interest get in the way of what is the best for the Bay.

'Form follows function and it is the functions of local government that must be considered thoroughly before any change is triggered,” says Doug.

'There is no point simply replacing one organisation with another, at significant cost to ratepayers, until this aspect is sorted out first.”

In order for amalgamation to be considered both councils need to look at a regional information technology management system, creating a one consent door for developers, says Doug.

And he adds there should be no tolerance for short-sighted ideas promoting "cherry picking" growth in Tauranga and the Western Bay, potentially leaving the rest of the Bay of Plenty to "wallow in a dismal demographic".

Paul refutes the ratepayer's costs, saying there is widespread support from ratepayers and the business community with the group continuing to build its resources for a strong application.

Local Government Commission advisor Robert Harris confirms an application can be made by any member of the public, body or group in what is a 'fairly logical” structure.

He says an application must explain what the proposed changes are seeking to achieve, and how they will be achieved by the prosed approach.

It must also include a description of potential improvements from the proposal along with information demonstrating community support including a petition.