Mr Baker, who is also a high-profile member of the aquatics lobby group Fish out of Water, said Cr Cameron had a “village mentality” and described the pool poll to be held as part of the September elections as a “red herring”.

“Maybe Kevin Mack might want to know what the people think, but I don’t think that is what Darren Cameron wants,” Mr Baker said.

“He has been anti all the way through and has got some form in this area.

“Is the question a fair one or is it loaded for a particular outcome?

“In my opinion it is ill-conceived and I think there is a motive behind it.

“It’s a red herring.”

Cr Cameron couldn’t be contacted for comment.

Cr Mack proposed the poll on whether Albury ratepayers wanted council to spend up to $50 million on an indoor pool complex and shut Lavington Swim Centre.

The poll idea was passed on the casting vote of mayor Henk van de Ven on Monday, but Cr Alice Glachan has lodged a rescission motion against the decision which will be debated at an extraordinary meeting on Monday.

Mr Baker said the 749 people who responded to the earlier pools consultation compared favourably to the 226 people who responded to the Wodonga main street changes.

He also said Cr van de Ven’s use of a casting vote on the poll issue was “very strange” considering he voted to create the deadlock.

“There is nothing wrong with a councillor having a village mentality as long as the whole council doesn’t have it,” he said.

“You’ve got to make things happen.”