TWEED Shire Council has overturned a controversial decision to remove a pond adjacent to the Murwillumbah library that prompted an angry walkout from councillor Gary Bagnall at last month's meeting.

The council will instead draw up revised plans for a new library forecourt area that provides for the retention of the pond and addresses public safety issues.

The new plans will potentially go before the council next month, a council spokesman said.

Sam Dawson from the Caldera Environment Centre welcomed the council's change of heart.

Mr Dawson, who used to visit the pond as a child and had been a vocal critic of the decision to remove it, said he would like the council to keep the pond as it is.

In a more harmonious council debate this time, Cr Katie Milne said it wasn't just the decision to scrap that section of the pond that upset many people but the lack of consultation surrounding it.

Cr Bagnall said the small pond was an important public space that was part of the town's heritage.

Councillors voted 5-1 (Phil Youngblutt absent) to rescind last month's decision and then 7-0 to draw up revised plans.

The vote for the original decision to scrap the pond section was 5-2.

A 2012 risk assessment identified injury and damage to the building as key safety issues and cited reports of children falling into the pond.

Richmond Tweed Regional Library manager Jo Carmody, who used to work at the Murwillumbah library, said while the pond was precious to the community "there's a darker side to it".

"I knew two children who fell into the pond and because of this and the automatic doors leading out ... staff are constantly on alert watching for children escaping outside," Ms Carmody told councillors.

"That happens on a daily basis; we're constantly telling parents, be careful."