According to MidCoast Council councillor, Peter Epov, conversations he has had with residents living in Tea Gardens-Hawks Nest they would prefer to be part of the Port Stephens LGA, while ratepayers in Stroud and Booral would prefer Dungog.

Cr Epov was speaking in support of a notice of motion put forward by Kathryn Bell at yesterday's September 22 monthly ordinary meeting, who asked for a review of the Mid Coast LGA , suggesting boundary changes across the region.

He believed 10,000 square kilometres was a 'problematic' area to govern and service effectively.

"It is prudent to review that and to rationalise that and ensure our ratepayers and residents get the benefits and opportunities they truly need," Cr Epov said.

"It is clear we are in a very diverse region with very different interests from people who live on the coastline to over the mountains," he said.

"The motion calls for some simple practical options for council to consider."

Len Roberts was concerned about the cost to implement the proposed changes and queried if people in his community would indeed support boundary changes.

"If you go to people in Tea Gardens today and ask if they would like to be part of Port Stephens they would say no," Cr Roberts said.

'In fact people in Karuah would like to be in the Mid Coast," he said.

He believed supporting the motion prior to an election would also cause confusion in the community, who could believe council was supporting de-amalgamation.

Deputy mayor, Claire Pontin agree it was a big issue, but said now was not the time to vote on the issue.

"(But) I am very happy to hear Cr Epov (say) this is not about de-amalgamation," she said.

Her thoughts were echoed by Katheryn Smith.

"But, definitely down the track, it would be (prudent) to have the conversation with towns on the borders."

"There was one council who came into this financially fit for the future and that was Great Lakes," Karen Hutchinson said.

"This was not forced it was a request from Gloucester and I will be voting this down."

Cr Bell, who also called on general manager, Adrian Panuccio to ' canvass the desirability and utility of a review of the LGA relating to boundary alterations for the November meeting'.

"As a corollary to this, the report discusses best options for public consultation about this."

Cr Bell's notice of motion was lost six votes to two.

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