The Government is expecting councils to assist financially with its plans for developing cycleways around New Zealand.
The Government has set aside $9 million for the first seven cycleway projects from a $50 million fund. Construction is likely to begin this summer.
The Prime Minister, John Key, says there will be a combination of stakeholders, including local councils, and the projects will have an invigorating effect on local communities.
Local Government New Zealand says each individual council will have the ultimate say on whether to contribute.
The organisation's president, Lawrence Yule, says councils' budgets are tight because of the recession, but other schemes with strong Government support have been taken up by most councils in the past.
Labour MP Phil Twyford says incuding councils among the cycleway stakeholders contradicts the Local Government Minister's view that local authorities should be restricted to providing core services.
Mr Key says attracting tourism and economic development is a core part of council business.
