Deputy mayor Rob Hooke spoke against the motion to send two delegates to the Local Government NSW Annual Conference because the council hadn't put forward any motions and the dates clash with the October meeting.

"We don't have any items that we are championing on the agenda and I'm just wondering if we do go, then we're probably going to have to call that meeting short ... and as such I just wonder whether it is actually worthwhile we attend this particular event," he said.

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However, mayor Jamie Chaffey counter-argued his deputy's suggestion and said the council shouldn't waste an opportunity to influence decision-making.

"The other consideration in this debate there are a lot of motions put forward," Cr Chaffey said.

"Most are good and advocate things that are very important to us in local government.

"Unfortunately, sometimes there are motions put forward that do have an effect on rural councillors."

The mayor said Gunnedah was delegated two votes at the conference, which is aimed at shaping statewide policy and council needed to represent the community who elected them.

"These two votes, if we don't attend, will not have any say," Cr Chaffey said.

"In this day and age in the democracy we live in, I'm not sure if that's a wise thing to do by not attending."

Colleen Fuller backed the mayor's comments and said it was "very important" to attend the first conference with the Minister for Local Government, Shelley Hancock.

"I do believe we should be in attendance at it for the first one with the new minister," she said.

"I think we need to be taking every avenue we can to make sure we're there for that conference."

Councillors voted for Cr Chaffey and Cr Hooke, despite his objections toward the council going in the first place, to attend the conference from October 14-16.

They have until August 19 to submit motions for the conference.

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