Figures released by council last week showed that 39.5 hours of staff time was spent on 13 complaints against councillors up to the end of August.

Seven of these were lodged by other councillors.

Names on the report were blacked-out, however, the document showed complaints were based on a range of allegations, from intimidating and offensive behaviour to misleading comments and breach of percuniary interest.

Review of complaints has cost ratepayers about $19,744 so far this year, going well beyond the $2000 annual budget.

This includes an estimated $6237 of staff time.

Despite being legally gagged from speaking about specific Code of Conduct complaints, Cr Garry Turland said "eight or nine" were lodged against him since he was elected in September, 2012.

Cr Turland said none of these complaints had been upheld so far, though some decisions were still pending.

The report was tabled last Wednesday, the same day councillors took part in a workshop aimed at smoothing over differences between them.

Eight of the nine councillors attended, with only Cr Ian Scandrett skipping the session, which he said was "a waste of time and money".

Cr Scandrett said mediation would not mend the differences between councillors.

He said money spent on complaints could have been better spent refurbishing children's playgrounds across the region, of which there were 58 still to do.

The Division of Local Government strongly recommended the session after it found a rise in Code of Conduct complaints, interference in operational matters and poor relationships between councillors and staff in the Wingecarribee.

Mayor Juliet Arkwright said the workshop was "a very worthwhile exercise".

"The presenter focussed on the dynamic of the human condition rather than resolving certain issues between councillors," she said.