The proposed change would see Kempsey Shire renamed either the Macleay Valley Council or the Macleay Valley Coast Council.

Two councillors, Dean Saul and Alan Snowsill, have said they are vehemently opposed to the proposed change.

Earlier this year councillors opted to support a questionnaire which asked local residents what they thought of the proposed changes.

However, the response from the public was less than enthusiastic, with just 328 people responding to the questionnaire.

Mayor John Bowell has said the matter would be voted on regardless and it was obvious from the lack of response that people were leaving it to council to make the decision.

But Cr Saul said he had received complaints from people living in the Shire who wanted the name to stay as is.

“I believe it identifies the Shire in the correct way,” Cr Saul said.

“This is an area with strong timber and farming traditions and people recognise that when they hear the name Kempsey Shire.

“Macleay Valley Coast is not representative of the Shire.

“There’s a lot of apathy from the community who believe the decision has already been made, which is not the case.

“The feedback I’ve been getting is that people don’t believe it’s necessary.

“They think it’s a waste of money and the council should be doing more important things with our rare taxpayer dollars.”

Cr Snowsill aired similar sentiments.

“Ninety per cent of the people who have approached me are against any name change,” he said.

“I can’t see any justified reason to spend money on something that is not needed and people don’t want.”