However, the Mid Western Community Action Group has been asked to pare its original list of more than 70 speakers at that meeting, since action group speakers alone would consume 6 hours of meeting time.

Cr Max Walker suggested at Wednesday’s council meeting that the December 6 meeting could be held off site, however, council was unwilling to have the meeting stretch into the wee hours of the next morning.

He seemed to strike a compromise with community action group chairman, Russell Holden.

Council will now hold the Thursday, Dec. 6 meeting at a suitable venue to accommodate the expected crowd, with that venue likely to be Club Mudgee.

Mudgee Business Association president Rob Duffy and Mr Holden asked council to reconsider an earlier recommendation – to hold the meeting in council chambers.

Mr Holden told council more than 70 speakers had indicated they wanted to speak on the night and more than 120 submissions had been received regarding the development.

However, Cr Walker told Mr Holden so many speakers would take too long and Cr Mike Williams said council is not equipped to listen to so many speakers, both asking Mr Holden to go back to the organisation and cull the list, to which he agreed.

Mr Holden appealed for common sense to prevail, adding he was very happy to cull his group, but there would also be other residents wanting to speak and the community does have the right.

Cr Walker said he would like to see the meeting at Club Mudgee to allow all to attend as council’s part in an act of goodwill toward the people.

Cr Webb changed his stance from the former meeting, saying he agreed it should now be held at Club Mudgee.

The mayor, Percy Thompson said meetings had always been held in council chambers, and he had seen some very big meetings, including the main street issue where 1600 people turned up.

He said there were bigger organisations than the 400 strong MWCAG in town, and this could set a precedent if other groups wanted to demand a special venue.