Independent Member for Port Macquarie, Peter Besseling, has today confirmed his support for any decision on councillor numbers to be decided by the people of the Port Macquarie-Hastings community, not through an amendment in legislation.

“My position is very clear on this and has been from the outset,” Mr Besseling said.

“The only process which would result in a change in councillor numbers must be a process that is determined directly by the wishes of the community within our local council area.

"Given that Port Macquarie-Hastings Council is currently under administration, until we return to a democratically elected council, the only trigger for a reduction in councillor numbers must be through a public referendum.

“I have expressed these sentiments directly to both the council administrator, Garry Payne, and to the Minister for Local Government, Barbara Perry.

"There has been talk of allowing a reduction in councillor numbers for councils throughout the state via a mechanism similar to a special rate variation application. The NSW Government must understand that councils under administration do not have the same levels of community accountability as elected councillors.

“This policy position does not in any way reflect on the integrity or professionalism of our current administrator, but is merely a result of the current position of our council,” Mr Besseling said.