The move was motioned at this week's Moorabool Shire Council meeting and will see staff relocated from existing offices in Ballan and Bacchus Marsh to Darley, as soon as possible.

But yesterday Mayor Pat Toohey said Councillor Tom Sullivan had put forward a recision notice to bring the matter back to council for further resolution.

Cr Pat Griffin, who raised the motion, said a report released last year stated that having staff under one roof would save money and benefit management and staff morale.

At this week's meeting, the four East Moorabool councillors voted for the motion, while the three western-based councillors voted against it.

Ballan residents said the move would draw money away from the town. They said employees may have to find other work if driving an extra 35km to Darley did not suit them.

Ballan newsagency owner Ian Ireland said he and others felt "betrayed", saying the decision was unfair and no one knew about it.

"We've been done in by the councillors out of Bacchus Marsh, four votes to three," he said.

Resident and business owner Jenny Adcock said "Ballan will end up worst off".

"The council office is one of the few sources of employment in Ballan. This is going to be yet another area that is going to be closed down because people won't be able to find employment," she said.

Cr Toohey, who voted against the proposal, said it was brought before the council with no warning or discussion.

"We certainly had no discussion with the community or no respect shown to the views of what the community might think," he said.

But Cr Griffin said it was always the plan to consolidate the staff at Darley, after council bought the former Darley Secondary College for $2.6 million from the State Government.

He said he thought it was "good to get it on the table" after finding out plans were being drawn up for the new campus and council was tendering for architects.

"I think it's a positive thing, with all sorts of savings. Some people won't like it, but my view is the majority will," Cr Griffin said.

Ballan will maintain a council customer service centre, but Cr Toohey said it may only be serviced by a few staff. Council will work with the Ballan community to decide the best use for the council.