TWEED voters will get the chance to say if they want nine councillors instead of seven and whether they want to elect the mayor rather than leave that decision to councillors.

But any change won't take effect for almost five years - at the 2016 council election.

Councillors voted on Tuesday night to allow a referendum on the two issues at next year's election, with any change applying at the following election.

The move to allow voters a say on whether to increase the number of councillors from seven to nine came after lengthy debate on the need for more representation and the cost.

Cr Dot Holdom opposed any increase in numbers saying the decision by the council's previous administrator to reduce elected council numbers from 11 to 7 had produced good cost savings.

But Greens Party councillor Katie Milne argued two extra councillors would cost Tweed's 90,000-plus residents less than 40cents each per year, after taking into account councillor fees and expenses.

"Twenty cents or 40 cents for two extra councillors or 80 cents for four extra councillors would be the best investment this shire could ever have," Cr Milne said.

"The cost is not the issue.

"I would be suggesting we turn back to the old days when it was eleven.

"I would actually like more people to work with."

She found unusual allies in deputy mayor Phil Youngblutt and former mayor Warren Polglase.

"By 2016 we will have over 100,000 people. We should have more councillors to represent the people," said Cr Youngblutt.

Cr Polglase said the debate should not be centred on cost but on the need to represent a diverse community.

Former mayor Kevin Skinner however said the number should be reduced to five, with the cost savings used to increase the pay of remaining councillors, making the role attractive to people who needed full time jobs.

Several councillors argued that would not be allowed by the NSW Government's local government remuneration tribunal.

Councillors Milne, Skinner, Polglase and Youngblutt supported the referendum on councillor numbers. Cr Holdom, Barry Longland and Joan van Lieshout were opposed.