Councillor Doug Curran presented the motion to hold a referendum after ongoing feedback from the community suggesting 12 councillors is too many. Cr Curran has presented a similar motion several times before, however it was shot down.

The referendum will include two "Yes or No" questions on whether the councillor numbers should be reduced to nine, and whether the position of mayor should continue to be popularly elected or whether that decision should be made by elected councillors.

Councillor Anne Napoli said she found the idea insulting to the community, citing the number of times the question has been asked.

"I understand we've had two referendums, one survey and three notice-of-motions regarding this... It's an insult to the community to be going back to ask 'what do you want,' I don't support this motion," she said.

The referendums were held in 2004 and 2007, along with a survey conducted in 2011. The three proposals were put forward in 2011, 2012 and 2018 but all three notices were declined by the council.

Councillor Brian Simpson was in favour, citing that the constituency's voice should come first.

"It's the community that needs to have another say... Councillor Napoli said that the community has been asked a number of times but it's only two as I'm aware. The rest of the times, it's the councillors that made the decision," he explained.

"Let's listen to our constituency."

Councillor Simon Croce was also against the idea.

"I haven't really heard a good reason yet for nine councillors over twelve besides money which in a 70 million dollar budget is a weak argument. If it was really about the money, staff numbers of 300, you could drop one staff member and save 70 or 80,000 and lose 0.3 per cent of your staff rather than 25 per cent of the council," he explained.

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Councillor Andreazza pointed out that having an odd number of councillors would prevent tie-breaker situations.

Councillors Simon Croce, Rina Mercuri, Anne Napoli, Deb Longhurst, Christine Stead and Dino Zappacosta ultimately voted against the motion while Councillors John Dal Broi, Glen Andreazza, Doug Curran, Eddy Mardon, Brian Simpson and Mike Neville voted in favour.

In an ironic twist, this put the vote at 6-6 on approving or not approving the referendum, leaving the final decision to Mayor John Dal Broi.

Mayor John Dal Broi cast his deciding vote in favour of the referendum, which will take place in line with the December elections.

"It has been before this council and I think that the community need to inform us as councillors what they wish to have - twelve or nine - so I'm going to vote with the motion."

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