In the email, the council's property and recreation manager Peter Coyte said he had been advised the community representatives were unwilling to discuss parking meter issues unless a moratorium was instituted, and therefore there was no further benefit in meeting with them.

Although he pushed for meters to be shut down, City Diggers general manager Phil Ryan last night said he believed three of the five non-council committee members held differing opinions.

"They've decided the attitude of committee members, including the Labour Council, the IBC (Illawarra Business Council) and mall management is that they're not willing to take part in the review process because we won't proceed if there's not a moratorium, but that's not the position of the Labour Council, the mall or IBC," he said.

Stunned by the turn of events, Mr Ryan said he was disappointed his feedback was not valued.

A council spokesperson confirmed the retail and community representatives had been contacted and would no longer be involved in the review committee.

"The organisers of the public meeting on parking meters were invited to be involved, they presented a position and were not willing to negotiate," she said.

"While we respect their position and take it on board, we will be consulting with a whole range of people in the community as part of the review process.

"If anyone in the community is interesting in engaging with us on this topic, we are willing to listen."