Cr Funnell's absenteeism came to light at Monday's council meeting, when it was revealed he had attended almost no meetings over the past three years.

During the meeting Cr Vanessa Keenan said the revelations were "alarming", especially considering that the council pays a $7000 annual membership to be a part of the MDA.

"I think it is important we do have some kind of representation there, given the role of the city and our place in this region," Cr Keenan said.

"Having membership being paid but not having representation at the table is really quite disappointing."

Cr Funnell told The Daily Advertiser the meetings were "a waste of time and effort" because it was filled with "leftie lovies" who were more interested in grass, frogs, and the environment than the wellbeing of farmers.

"We've got this insidious situation where it's full of environmental-loving lefties who do nothing but toe the bureaucratic line," Cr Funnell said.

"All they're interested is pushing the environmental line and not taking into account the social economic factors, and I'll tolerate that no more."

Cr Funnell said his disillusionment with the MDA stemmed from the leadership of region 9 chairman and Leeton mayor Paul Maytom, who had signalled his willingness to work within the Murray Darling Basin Plan - a fact that appals Cr Funnell.

Cr Maytom hit back at Cr Funnell's comments, saying the MDA had been working tirelessly to improve the lot of farmers within the basin.

"He's obviously misunderstood, because if he had been involved with the meetings we've been having over the last few years he would have a better idea of what's been happening with the Murray Darling Association," Cr Maytom said.

"We've taken the right position on this and we haven't rolled over with anyone. We've been very, very, very active as a board to try and ensure we try and get the right mix of water for productive, social, environmental, and the whole mix."

Cr Funnell admitted he was "remiss" in not turning up to meetings, and he agreed to step down from the committee to allow one of the other councillors to take his place.

Cr Dan Hayes said the admission was too little too late, and that he should have stepped down years ago instead of boycotting the meetings.

"If he hasn't attended for three years, then this is probably late stepping down from that committee," Cr Hayes said.

"People are elected to represent council and the expectation is that they turn up."

Cr Funnell agreed he should have stood down long ago, but he hit back at the other councillors for being a little too eager to shame him for his absenteeism and remove him from the MDA.

"They had the decision drafted by 9am the next morning - my goodness, they can't act that quickly on anything else," Cr Funnell said.

"All these clowns do is worry about the big picture stuff, they just want to nitpick around the edges and make this about 'oh my goodness, Paul Funnell's been derelict in his duties'.

"The mayor and Cr Keenan were more concerned about the $7000 fee of the Murray Darling Association, but they weren't as concerned about the billions of dollars of lost production... because of the complete stuff up of this Murray Darling Basin Plan."

Council will vote to replace Cr Funnell, and mayor Greg Conkey said that he would be happy to put up his hand in his stead, having previously served on the committee for four years.

"I'm very happy to go back as a rep; I believe the association has a lot to offer and I believe we need to be at that table," Cr Conkey said.