Wingecarribee Shire Council is not one of the 36, but nearby councils, Queanbeyan City Council and Eurobodalla Shire Council are.

Under the Australian Classification of Local Governments (ACLG), these two councils and Wingecarribee Council are in the same council group. The groups are based on socioeconomic characteristics and demographic variables.

In 1980 a local referendum was held in Queanbeyan which supported a popularly elected mayor in the city. This overturned about a century of tradition.

Queanbeyan City Council Mayor Tim Overall said a popularly elected mayor system attracted him to the role. He said popularly elected mayors could have an "enhanced standing" in their communities and an "enhanced standing" to improve governance and strengthen inter-governmental relations and partnerships with key stakeholders.

"It's all about leadership and effectiveness in delivering on the community's aspirations," Cr Overall said.

"A popularly elected mayoral system provides the opportunity for mayoral candidates to individually put forward a platform and seek an endorsement - a "mandate" from the community to implement key priorities and projects associated with the community's vision."

However, Cr Overall said the popularly elected system did have its flaws.

He said there were cases in some councils where popularly elected mayors were at "loggerheads" with councilors who had a different "self-interested power or political persuasion".

"There is a need that popular election needs to be matched by a clearer statement of the mayoral role as just one element of local government reform," he said.

In Eurobodalla Shire, residents voted at a referendum to elect a popularly elected mayor in 2006. Eurobodalla Shire Council Mayor Lindsay Brown is the shire's second popularly elected mayor and said the system benefitted the community and ratepayers.

Cr Brown said popularly elected mayors, who were elected every four years, brought stability to council. Council elected mayors, as is the case in Wingecarribee Shire Council, are annually elected.

"It brings stability and consistency and removes the annual political games so commonly associated with council-elected mayors," Cr Brown said.

"Four year terms allow for effective advocacy with governments and the ability to build relationships with funding bodies."

A constitutional referndum would need to be held for Wingecarribee Shire Council to change to a popularly elected mayor, where the public would vote on the proposed changes.