A formal question seeking ratepayers' opinions on a new $50 million aquatic centre will be put alongside the ballot paper at September's council poll.

The decision to have the pool vote split council at Monday night's meeting with the cost of the poll raised as a concern.

At the same time Albury was debating that issue, Wodonga Council was meeting and discussing its contentious plan to turn a section of High Street into a 20km/h pedestrian-friendly zone.

A report to the council on feedback on the plan contained the results of a survey which showed a majority of 226 residents opposed the idea of trial of the shared zone.

Mayor Anna Speedie lamented the small number of residents who responded to the council, saying it was "sad".

It is a fair point, considering the publicity around the issue but it also may reflect cynicism that ratepayers feel it is already a fait accompli and the survey would not alter council's opinion.

Whether a trial proceeds now will be left to the council elected in October's Wodonga council election.

So while there will not be a formal question on the shared zone put to voters, the issue will be a live matter for those choosing the new council.

The election presents an opportunity for councillors and candidates to argue the case for and against.

Communication is a vital skill for successful elected representatives and the High Street plan, which has attracted criticism from businesses and a former mayor, is a litmus test for contenders.

Similarly in Albury, the fate of the city's pools is now integral to the election.

It is pleasing that voters have the opportunity to determine whether key infrastructure will be built or not.

No doubt there will be lobbying of voters, particularly by the pro-new pool group Fish Out of Water.

There will also be budgetary arguments against a greenfields centre, linked to councillor Darren Cameron's refrain opposing an "aquatic palace of Versailles".

In their own way voters will shape whether a new pool will be built in Albury and whether Wodonga will see a pedestrian zone tested in its commercial heart and that is democracy at work.