Introduced last week, the system cost nearly $100,000.

It means that the council now complies with the new Local Government Act that requires it to make development application decisions open to public scrutiny.

Councillors' votes appear on two large television screens hung in the council chamber as they are made.

The system can also be used by council staff and guests to make audio and visual presentations to the council.

Reaction among councillors has been mixed.

Cr Leo Kelly said the new system would allow for greater transparency.

He said residents who came to council meetings would now know who spoke and who supported what applications and on what grounds.

Cr Nick Tyrrell said he couldn't see any great improvement from the old system, which used two secretaries to record minutes of proceedings.

``Council should be looking for cost-saving measures to fund a $2 million shortfall of its superannuation fund rather than spend money on the gadget,'' he said.

``I'd rather see the money used for the construction of bus shelters, footpaths or graffiti cleaning.''

Mayor Charlie Lowles said the new system replaced the 27-year-old system, which was plagued with faults.

Cr Lowles said the voting system facility wasn't used at last Wednesday's meeting. He said a staggered introduction of the system was planned.