TWEED Shire Councillors are at it again, arguing over who will be mayor for the remaining weeks of the current term.

Under current legislation, a mayor must be elected by sitting councillors every September.

While most NSW councils will elect their new mayor after the upcoming Local Government election on September 10, the Tweed's situation has been complicated by the rescheduling of the poll to October 29 following the death of a candidate.

That means the term of current Mayor Katie Milne will expire on September 15 - just six weeks out from the poll - necessitating a new election.

In a last minute motion at Thursday's council meeting, Cr Milne proposed the existing leadership of herself and Deputy Mayor Gary Bagnall remain at the helm to see out the term.

"It seemed so absurd and such a waste in administrative costs to change over mayors just to be a mayor for six weeks," Cr Milne said.

"There is another provision in the Act that says if we fail to appoint a mayor the NSW Governor may appoint a mayor from one of the councillors.

"This seemed like a good way out of the predicament, and presumably the Governor would maintain the mayoral status quo."

However, her proposal was rejected by the three conservative councillors, who staged a walk-out in protest, causing a failure of quorum and the meeting to be adjourned a week.

Cr Warren Polglase said he was not aware of the motion prior to the meeting and could not support extension of the status quo.

"This was just self-serving and a power grab," Cr Polglase said.

"I think it is fair and reasonable to have an election for a short period of time."

Cr Polglase said he would like retiring Cr Phil Youngblutt to assume the top role for the remaining six weeks in recognition of his service to the shire.

Cr Carolyn Byrne, who joined her two colleagues in the walk-out, said the protest was not over personal conflict between the two sides of the chamber.

"This is not about party politics," Cr Byrne said.

"This is about a mayoral minute that was flawed in its wording and not in keeping with previous advice of the Office of Local Government or the advice given to the community."

But Cr Milne said the walk-out was an example of "very poor behaviour" by the conservatives.

"I believe they walked out because they were desperate to be mayor for six weeks," Cr Milne said.

Due to the resignation of Labor's Cr Michael Armstrong for personal reasons, just six councillors remain in the chamber, meaning the mayor has the casting vote.

The incident is the latest in a long string of disputes between the opposing sides of council this term, leading many to label the current group of councillors as dysfunctional.

The meeting has been adjourned until 3.30pm next Thursday, September 8.