The council held forums in Wallabadah, Quirindi, Currabubula, Werris Creek, Spring Ridge, Premer, and Willow Tree, and each was well-attended, mayor Doug Hawkins said.

Cr Hawkins said discussions had been "robust" and "nothing was held back", which was exactly what he wanted.

"Everything was put on the table, everything was explained, and all I asked for from the beginning was a frank and honest discussion," the mayor told ACM.

"Everyone had a chance to have their say ... there was some solid debate and that's what it's all about."

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Now, the consultation process will move from face-to-face to over-the-phone, where 300 interviews will be conducted among a representative sample of residents.

The surveys are being conducted by independent market research company Micromex Research over the next week.

Respondents will be randomly selected, so your home may receive a call from the agency during this period, and these calls may be outside of business hours and on weekends," Cr Hawkins said.

"I would hope the participation rate is as good as the meetings.

"Council will only receive the overall results from the research agency, so rest assured that any personal details and individual responses will remain confidential."

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Once this data is collected, councillors will then meet to collate all the information received and then make a decision on whether to apply to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for an SRV.

"We're scheduled to have the submission in by February 6 ... so I guess as soon as the telephone survey is completed and all the reports are done, then we will call an extraordinary meeting of council to move forward for the 6^th," Cr Hawkins said.

He said while it was a tough position to be in for a newly-elected mayor, it was a "conversation that had to be had".

"I want to see us with a healthy shire, and it was something that needed to be done," he said.

"I don't think anyone can doubt my commitment, but nonetheless I think I've done what's right for the community and if people judge that I've done the wrong thing then I guess I'll pay for it at the next election.

"But I wanted to thank the community for their input and attendance at the meetings."