Buller District councillors will take their sleeping bags when they go on retreat next month.

Their budget-style accommodation will cost ratepayers about a third as much as a previous proposal.

Before last year's local body elections, council chief executive Paul Wylie suggested a post-election retreat to Maruia or Karamea.

It's understood that would have cost ratepayers over $12,000.

The idea was postponed after all three mayoral candidates expressed concern at the cost.

One of them, Greg Hart, suggested councillors save money by pitching tents and retreating to his backyard.

It's taken almost a year, but the new council has now come up with a plan.

Buller Mayor Garry Howard said councillors and key staff - about 15 people all-up - would spend August 1 and 2 at Westport's Maxwell Gage Centre. He said they would have to take sleeping bags because the centre, owned by the University of Canterbury, features dormitory-style accommodation.

The retreat would cost ratepayers about $4000, "it's just slightly an increase from Greg Hart's tenting".

Costs would include accommodation of $20 per person, catering by local firms for two lunches and a one main meal, and the fee for a Wellington-based local government facilitator.

"We've just tried to be very practical and keep it (the cost) to a minimum," the mayor said.

Participants would spend the two days discussing council's long-term plan, which involved about $260 million spending over 10 years.

They would also be offered social activities, but anyone anticipating a cocktail party or a black-tie dinner is out of luck.

Mr Howard said they could walk a couple of blocks to the Solid Energy Centre for spin and swimming classes, and he had some surprise activities.

He warned participants "you have to take your own bag of chips and bottle of wine".