At a five-hour ordinary meeting on Tuesday, October 29 the Newstart motion was unanimously passed and included writing to Pauline Hanson, Minister for Social Services Anne Ruston and Gilmore MP Fiona Phillips.

In a emotional speech to the council, resident Julie Danser spoke about her experience of living off Newstart in the Shoalhaven and the desperate situation recipients were facing.

"We're seeing a growing number of women over 50 on Newstart," she said.

"If it wasn't for my dad and a few friends I would have had to sell my house. It's a real struggle."

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Although the motion proposed by Cr Kaye Gartner was supported by all councillors, the debate was not without political games.

Cr Andrew Guile moved an amendment to the motion, which would add to the correspondence to federal representatives that Shoalhaven Council residents on welfare have suffered because of the rate rise last year.

The amendment failed, with only Crs Guile, Watson and Pakes supporting it. Even a usual ally of Cr Guile, Cr Bob Proudfoot, voted against the amendment.

"I don't want to the original motion jeopardised," Cr Proudfood said.

"We're here to uphold good Labor values."

Mayor Amanda Findley also agreed with Cr Proudfoot's sentiment.

"Let the motion pass as it is and don't blur the lines," Cr Findley said.

Despite the politics, all councillors spoke sympathetically to the tough challenges faced by those on Newstart.

"I couldn't live off Newstart. My mortgage payments alone would take up half of that," Cr Pakes said.

"$489 per fortnight, particularity for a person over the age of 50, is condemning people to a life of indignity," Cr John Wells said.