After heated debate and two defeated motions on Tuesday night, the majority of Shellharbour councillors voted to let the matter lie until further discussions.

The decision has delayed progress on an organic waste processing facility at Dunmore, meaning the fortnightly service will continue into the foreseeable future.

Barrack Heights mum Melissa Small, who supports weekly collections, slammed the council over its failure to agree on a direction.

‘‘I was keeping half of Christmas down in the garage until it could be picked up,’’ she said.

A report to the council meeting recommended the city continue fortnightly pick-ups until the new facility was up and running - in several years - then transition to weekly food and organic collections and reduced red bin sizes.

The motion was defeated on Shellharbour Mayor Kellie Marsh’s casting vote - with support from her Liberal colleague Cr Paul Rankin and independent Helen Stewart.

Cr Rankin’s alternate motion - to conduct further community consultation about weekly red bin services and progress the food processing facility - was defeated 4-2, after Labor-affiliated councillors and both independents opposed it. Councillors Marsh and Rankin want weekly red bin pick-ups.

Shellharbour introduced fortnightly collections in 2008 after 88 per cent of responses to community survey supported the move.

Cr Rankin questioned the result and said most people he had spoken to wanted weekly garbage collections. He also called for the council to review its bin collections contract.

Cr Peter Moran said the final decision was a ‘‘real blow’’.

A report to the council meeting said the reintroduction of weekly red bin services would be ‘‘counterproductive’’ to its resource recovery targets and could cost up to $3.5 million.