The push to find a new date for Australia Day is gaining momentum with local councils encouraged to lobby the federal government to change the day.
Last month, delegates at the annual assembly of the Australian Local Government Association approved a motion for councils to consider ways to lobby the federal government to switch the date from January 26.
The association's board met on Wednesday to consider the motion, agreeing it was an issue that should be worked through between councils and their communities.
Only 126 delegates from the 560 councils represented at the June meeting in Canberra voted on the motion, which was passed by the slimmest of margins with 64 in favour and 62 against.
Association president Mayor David O'Loughlin insists individual councils will have the power to consider their own positions on the matter.
"Ultimately, of course it is up to the federal government to deliberate over the date of Australia Day but such a decision would have to be based on broad community consultation and support," he said.
Hobart City Lord Mayor Sue Hickey, who led the push for change, believes Australia Day shouldn't be on a date that many indigenous people regard as "Invasion Day" because it marks the arrival of the First Fleet from England in 1788.
The push for change has been backed by the City of Sydney's Lord Mayor Clover Moore.
Huge protests by indigenous Australians and their supporters were held on Australia Day this year amid growing calls to change the date.
But the federal government opposes any change to Australia Day.
Government frontbencher James McGrath previously described the local government push to change the date as "batshit".
He described proponents of the change as "a minority of lefty, oxygen-thieving rabble-rousers" wasting time and money.
