TAMWORTH Regional Council won't be following the lead of its counterparts in Tenterfield when it comes to support for same-sex marriage, and it's a stand that's disappointed members of the local gay community.
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Tenterfield Shire Council hit the headlines during the week after it voted in favour of supporting a same-sex marriage equality proclamation that will be presented to Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
The request came from Byron Shire mayor Simon Richardson and sparked lively debate in the Tenterfield council chambers, but the vote eventually swung five to four in favour of the recommendation.
Tamworth Regional Council mayor Col Murray said they had received the same letter from Byron Shire, but it wouldn't be presented to councillors for debate at this time.
He said the council had more important things to be spending its time on and the issue of same-sex marriage was one for state and federal governments.
"Councillors invest their time on behalf of the community ... and I'm not hearing anything from our community that suggests they want us to be involved with this," Cr Murray said.
Tamworth couple Shirley Kirk and Courtney Mann disagree, saying they believe the many local people who are supportive of their relationship would like to see their council have the discussion and adopt a formal position.
"If (Cr Murray) were to ask, he'd certainly get that show of support (for same-sex marriage) from the community," Ms Kirk said.
She agrees the ultimate decision on the issue lies with the states and commonwealth, but thinks the more voices there are in favour of it, the more likely it is to eventually succeed.
"Councils adding their support for this would help push it forward the more support there is the better. They would be saying people are people and deserve the same rights," Ms Kirk said.
The couple have wanted to marry for some time, but put any marriage plans on hold when they welcomed their first baby at the start of the year.
They're more determined now than ever to formalise their relationship, but concede it will probably have to be overseas.
Ms Kirk said they were planning to travel to New Zealand in 2016 to tie the knot, but hadn't completely abandoned the hope they could marry on home soil.
"There's nothing I want more than to get married here and have everyone we care about at the wedding. We're like any other couple we're raising a baby and we want to get married."
