Howlong remains on tenterhooks with the panel decision still not handed down after a hearing to deal with the Cleanaway development application was held more than a month ago.

The council on Monday night agreed to investigate the compost facility be built not only at the Albury Waste Management Centre, but other sites within the Albury local government area after concerns were raised about the tip having sufficient room.

Cr John Stuchbery said the time had come for Albury to take "ownership" of the issue given the original refusal to build a plant at Gerogery and strong opposition to the Howlong site.

"When the original contract was drawn up five councils including Albury were all well aware a composting plant may be built in their particular LGA so it should come as no surprise to citizens of Greater Hume or indeed Federation shire that Cleanaway put in a (development application) for it," he said.

"But having said that I believe it's time we take ownership of this issue and consider putting this composting plant in our LGA if the need arises."

Cr Alice Glachan queried whether there was a "finite space" at the Albury tip site which would be negatively impacted by a compost plant and whether alternatives could be considered.

"I don't want to limit the discussion to the possibility of locating it at the Albury Waste Management Centre," she said.

"If we are going to be looking at this I believe we want to make sure we get the best space."

General manager Frank Zaknich said the footprint of the compost facility would ultimately determine whether it compromised the tip's present and future operations.

Under interim arrangements compost waste from participating council areas of Albury, Wodonga, Indigo and Federation council areas is sorted at the Albury site and then transported to Wagga for processing.

Odour issues were also raised by about the plant being established in Albury by Cr Graham Docksey.

"Clearly any proposal to locate the composting facility at the Albury Waste Management Centre would need to have regard to any odour issues and how they might be managed," Mr Zaknich said.