The rescission motion is signed by councillors Phil Betts, Mark Rodda and Russell Webb and asks the council to defer a $6.5 million spend in the first year on high-tech water meters in unprecedented times.

Cr Rodda said he didn't feel comfortable splashing out on new gadgets with the city's economy in a lull.

"I would sooner see us spend $6.5 million on water recycling infrastructure than I would on a meter system.

"It is time of woe and with the economy in pretty poor shape it's a bad look I think to buy something that's more of a wish rather than a need.

"And, to use the excuse that Gunnedah, Narrabri and Dubbo councils have it, well why not wait and see what to see what their experiences are?"

It will cost $16.6 million to replace the meters with new ones, that's an estimated extra spend of $700,000 across 15 years.

The council would spend $15.9 million replacing broken or old meters as it is.

The rescission motion includes a request for more investigation into the cost proposals presented and would asks the matter revisited in the 2021 to 2022 budget.

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The devices are identified in the council's Emergency Water Supply Plan as a key way to reduce water consumption and losses, and councillor Juanita Wilson said installing the meters now is financially accountable.

"It is not financially accountable to defer the installation of this automated infrastructure," she said.

"It will mean that all new dwellings, and literally hundreds of existing meters that will need to be replaced of the next year or more will be fitted with meters soon to be obsolete.

"Financially and practically, it lacks sense and accountability."

The matter will return for debate at the August 11 council meeting.