Inspired by the Australia Day celebrations, all nine councillors agreed to pen their “extreme disappointment” at the way new legislation in relation to affordable housing was implemented.

Mayor Duncan Gair said the plan to put the affordable housing complex outside of the central business district (CBD) was totally inappropriate.

“I commend the fact the state government is attempting to address affordable housing issues, but on the other side of it they are doing it with total disregard to our Local Environment Plan (LEP),” Cr Gair said.

“This plan is totally inappropriate with our LEP. I am very angry... if this goes ahead we are going to inherit many problems.

“We will inherit a lack of contribution from the State Government for infrastructure and a transport problem because residents will be complaining to Council about a lack of public transport for them to access the business sector.

“The tenants will also complain about no pedestrian access over railway lines, no footpath infrastructure, and I find we [Council] will be burdened again with cost-shifting from the state government.”

Labor councillor and deputy mayor Graham McLaughlin said he had not given up convincing his party to “rethink” the plan.

“I will use every means to get on to our local politicians to say, please rethink this, it is a huge mistake,” Cr McLaughlin said.

“As councillors we can try and get a delegation through our local member - let’s hope someone is listening.”

All councillors have their say in Wednesday’s edition of the News.