More than 50 people packed into the Birubi Point Surf Lifesaving Club meeting room at Anna Bay, which was transformed into a makeshift council chamber for the night.

Mayor Ryan Palmer, who suggested the shift in venue as part of Local Government Week, said that he was extremely pleased with the turnout.

"I would estimate that up to 90 per cent of the people who were there do not usually attend council meetings," Cr Palmer said.

"It showed to me that residents are interested in their council and this was a great opportunity to show them what we are doing and how we operate."

Cr Palmer said a 30-minute Q&A session - where residents were free to question councillors and council staff on a range of issues – at the meeting's end was well received.

“It was a great to hear the concerns of the residents in terms of the proposed rate variation and other pertinent issues,” he added.

"The one negative aspect of taking the meeting on the road was missing out on the web casting, but I think this obstacle was far outweighed by the number of people who attended."

The last community council meeting was conducted in November 2005 at Seaham.

Cr Palmer said that he would discuss with councillors the possibility of conducting further meetings in the future outside of Raymond Terrace.

Also read: Council takes meeting to community for Local Government Week