Cr Moloney, who publicly shared the fact that he is bisexual last year, had asked if he could second the recommendation - an unusual step as chair of the meeting designed to allow him to speak to the motion.

Standing up to address fellow councillors and the public gallery, he shortly sat down again after an extended pause as he became visibly emotional.

"It's not easy," he said, before paying paid tribute to community members for coming forward to make public submissions.

"It can be a difficult journey," he said. "It's been less than a year since I have had the courage to do what these people have done and speak openly.

"Electing an 'out' mayor is a step in the process.

"There are so many people who leave our city because they don't feel accepted or leave our city to access basic services the rest of us take for granted. It's so wrong. It's gut-wrenching.

"This is another step in the journey to being more inclusive."

IN OTHER NEWS

Councillors had heard from several members of the city's LGBTIQA+ community, the vast majority of whom said forming the committee and action plan would help build a more inclusive city.

There was one written submission in opposition to the committee from a gay man who said forming of the committee would be a step backwards and would not justify the costs. "Everything in this report is already happening and therefore redundant," the submission read.

A council report said the annual staffing cost would be around $40,000, while the annual project funding budget would be at least $8,000.

Cr Ben Taylor had tried to put forward an alternate motion - stating his view that the proposed advisory committee lacked good governance - and was unclear in its purpose.

His suggestion of a stakeholder group instead was strongly rejected by Cr Belinda Coates and Cr Mark Harris in particular.

Cr Harris called his councillor colleague's proposal "mean in outlook" and said the broader approach to the LGBTIQA+ community had "gaps you could drive a train through."

"Our community is better than Cr Taylor's motion," he said.

Cr Taylor's motion was rejected, with councillors subsequently unanimously voting for the original recommendation to set up the advisory committee.

Once the vote was cast, there was applause from the gallery followed by a cry of "leadership!".

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