A religious debate dominated discussion at the latest council meeting.
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The conversation focused on what prayer should be said at the start of the fortnightly meetings.
On August 14, Councillor Larry Whipper put forward a motion to broaden the representation of those who offer prayer.
This motion, which was made up six points, included a point which suggested "that council make formal invitations to local leaders of the Catholic, Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Bahai faiths to be included in the roster to provide prayer".
After an emotional debate, the motion was put to a vote and lost.
Mayor Duncan Gair used his casting vote to pass two points of the motion, one of which was to acknowledge the importance of the opening prayer at council meetings.
The other was to recognise Australia is predominantly Christian in its belief system however there are those who acknowledge God through different pathways.
What do some of the Wingecarribee Shire's religious leaders have to say about council's decision?
Chabab of RARA director Rabbi Yossi Rodal said while there was a small Jewish community of about 50 to 100 people in the Southern Highlands, inclusion would be welcome.
"I think it would be nice for all the minorities and religions to be included. It doesn't have to be on a regular basis," Rabbi Rodal said.
"Maybe once a year they can have people from the minority religions come in to acknowledge there are people practicing other religions and the council is responsible for those people."
Member of the Muslim community Mazhar Alam said he would have preferred council broadened the representation during its civic prayer roster.
"I can understand there is a majority here. There will always be a push from this side. We need to recognise different religions and nationalities," Mr Alam said.
"I wasn't invited into any of that discussion. I'd like to be a part of the whole process.
"It's good to come together on this. Because there was no representation, they missed a point."
The Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Wingecarribee secretary Sally Russell said she respected council's decision to maintain the Christian prayer.
"I think the decision should reflect what the majority view of the local community is. Considering that I think they made the right decision, Christianity is the major religion," she said.
"We acknowledge the spirit behind the prayer."
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According to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics Census data on religious affiliation, 28.1 per cent of the Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven identifies as no religion.
Meanwhile 24.6 per cent of people identified as Anglican and 20.9 per cent identified as Catholic.
Almost 10 per cent of people did not state a religion and 3.7 per cent said they were a part of the Uniting Church.
Christianity was the largest religion reported overall, with a percentage of 66.1 per cent.
