Councillors voted 6-5 in favour of taking the stance, to advocate for the mandatory labelling of all GM products and promote a precautionary approach to GM food production.

Clr Janet Mays said despite the Federal Government holding all the cards regarding policy and legislation about GM products, “sometimes you’ve (councillors) got to stand up and lead.

“Kevin Rudd promised many things (about a precautionary approach to GM foods and mandatory labelling) but unfortunately the Federal Government has not followed through.

“As a result I see local government has a role.”

Clrs Mays, Eleanor Gibbs, Brendan Luchetti and Howard McCallum stressed the “overwhelming response” in favour of a precautionary approach to GM foods revealed in a community survey conducted by council last year by a margin of 121 submissions to 19.

“I’ve found many sites supporting GM foods and about as many opposing them — that suggests to me it is still a grey area so I’d support a precautionary approach,” Clr Luchetti said.

The decision frustrated Clrs Alison McLaren and Mark Greenhill, who described it as an inappropriate waste of council resources.

“I’m all for mandatory labelling (of GM foods), but our (council) staff should be focused on providing local services, not on those provided by the Federal Government,” Clr Mclaren said.

“I’m not as sceptical about GM foods as others — they provide an opportunity to remove allergens from food.”

Clr Greenhill said “this (decision) will result in a huge amount of nothing.”

The right for personal choice was a key factor for Clr Daniel Myles, who said adopting a stance opposing GM food production was going too far.

“GM foods ought to be very clearly labelled, but until we have scientific evidence (that GM foods are dangerous), the people in society should have the right to choose (what they eat).”

Council will also advocate for mandatory labelling of all GM products and write to the State and Federal Governments requesting a ban on commercial GM canola in the local government area.