Labor councillor Giacomo Arnott was scathing in his attack during heated debate at the meeting, claiming sections of the code were like "having a sock stuffed down people's throats", which drew the ire and point of order from rival Cr Ken Jordan.

Cr Arnott received no sympathy from his fellow councillors - Cr Steve Tucker offered partial support. In fact, he failed to get a seconder to his amendment to exclude three points from the social media code.

The code was adopted in its entirety eight votes to one - Cr Glen Dunkley was absent - with the remaining councillors in agreement that the code was there to protect social media users from threatening and defamatory comments.

Mayor Ryan Palmer said that the code, as set out by the Local Government Association (LGA), was well meaning and intended to uphold the integrity of all those involved with council.

"This is not a gag order," Cr Palmer said. "Councillors are still free to speak their mind, disagree on matters ... provided they are not offensive, humiliating, threatening or intimidating. I personally have never stood for such comments in social media or in conversation or in life, for that matter."

The three contentious points which riled Cr Arnott related to posting comments/photos or recordings that: had the potential to negatively impact on working relationships with the council; that were offensive, humiliating, threatening or intimidating to council officials; and that had the capacity to damage the council's reputation or could be misleading or deceptive.

"Of course no-one condones threatening or intimidating behaviour, and that's why this behaviour is already unlawful," Cr Arnott said.

"It will now be against the rules for councillors to raise issues that might damage the council's reputation. It will be against the rules to say something that might have a negative impact on the council."

His allegations were rejected by the councillors. Cr Tucker said he possibly could find some common ground on two of the three points but he could not remove the section relating to "offensive, humiliating, threatening or intimidating" behaviour.

Cr Paul Le Mottee said that the code, framed and recommended to all councils by the LGA, was not about gagging councillors, but rather to rid the council of threatening and offensive behaviour.

"There is no restrictions on councillors or staff to communicate to the electorate what this council is doing. It is just saying there are certain unacceptable behaviours, which must be abided by," Cr Le Mottee said.

Cr Jordan said that it was in the interests of social media users everywhere to be watchful of what they post not only for their own protection, but also for their future employment prospects.

"As a school teacher and career's advisor, I know how social media posts can jeopardise people's job prospects. This code is here is to protect us, protect our future job prospects and so that we don't end up in court," Cr Jordan said.

Cr Sarah Smith said that the code would "remind us all about our behaviour ... and to be more measured and considered in what we say or post" on social media.

After the meeting on Tuesday night, four councillors turned to Facebook to share the social media policy news.

Cr Arnott:

Cr Palmer:

Cr Smith:

Cr Dunkley: