Councillors Kathryn Bell and Peter Epov this week issued a joint media statement that outlined their communications with council about the court case, questions about process and the possible impact of the settlement on council's budget.

Last week, the Manning River Times reported that council would pay an out of court settlement to MCRS in the wake of a contractual dispute regarding the resurfacing of the Taree Airport runway.

The issue came to public attention after MCRS issued a media release stating that "the settlement and associated costs will see close to $1 million taken from council coffers."

The settlement follows action taken in the Supreme Court by MCRS against council in relation to a dispute over runway design and delay costs.

Last week council's general manager, Ron Posselt stated that the "settlement figure is not as stated by MCRS" and added that "at this point because the offer involves costs and other things that are not finalised with our insurers and legal advisers, I can't put a dollar figure on it. The councillors will be advised when those figures are finalised but I can assure you that the impact is nothing like what is being suggested by MCRS."

That position has not changed in a week and Mr Posselt said councillors would be further briefed on the matter at a councillor workshop next Wednesday.

However, councillors Bell and Epov contend that they "have been forced to do their own due diligence on behalf of the community which elected them, and to speak out publicly on this matter of significant importance."

Councillor Bell claims mayor, Paul Hogan did not respond to her email request for additional information about the settlement by the requested time.

The issue surfaced at the November 19 meeting of council when Cr Epov sought to raise it for discussion as an agenda item. Councillor support for the motion to discuss was evenly split and it required the mayor to use his casting vote. The motion was defeated.

Crs Bell and Epov state that councillors were briefed about the Supreme Court case at councillor workshops in August and September "to the effect that the matter was under control and that council was in a very strong position in this case" and that "at no stage was there any advice that the quantum for this case could reach $1 million."

"Councillors receive flood warning notices and updates, bushfire alerts and updates, surely a potential $1 million settlement in the Supreme Court of NSW warrants the same significant attention. Anything less is negligent," Crs Bell and Epov state.

"Councillors as elected representatives are entitled to be briefed in a timely manner on matters of importance. If such information is withheld from councillors, for months, then it can only be seen as deliberate and wilful."

Crs Bell and Epov contend that "there has been a deliberate attempt to keep this matter secret and away from the attention of all councillors and the community."