Cr John Stephens had suggested that each councillor could meet and greet visitors at the front door of the council offices in Breese Parade to make their visit more enjoyable.

It might also be less confronting for people not used to dealing with officialdom. Cr Stephens said that the role of ambassador could also provide a brief break for the council's counter staff and wanted each of the 12 councillors to commit themselves to acting as the designated Councillors' Ambassador for at least two hours each month.

When the idea was being discussed, Cr John Weate said he didn't think the way councillors interacted with the community needed to be formalised in such a way.

"People know who we are and they have our phone numbers."

Cr Len Roberts said that when he discussed the proposal with local residents, most simply wanted councillors to be committed to their work.

With tongue in cheek, deputy mayor Cr Jan McWilliams asked if the councillor judged the best ambassador would get a prize at the end of the year.

Despite a last minute plea by Cr Stephens for his idea to be adopted, his fellow councillors gave the idea the thumbs down.

Undeterred, Cr Stephens and Cr Lynnette Lawry, his only supporter for the idea, will give the ambassadorial role a trial.