The unpopular move to rename state’s largest council was born out of the Liberals’ desperation to secure independent veteran Russ Dickens’ vote for their mayoral candidate Jess Diaz.

Clr Dickens has been pushing for a “more suitable name” for the city for more than 30 years.

And the plan could have worked if Clr Jacqueline Donaldson had not resigned from the Liberal Party and swung her support behind Bali at the September 22 vote.

She was elected deputy mayor for her troubles in the tight 8-7 vote.

Despite large-scale opposition to the renaming plan, Clr Bali said council would go ahead with planned community consultation on the issue.

“Some people want to kill the debate outright,’’ Clr Bali said.

“But the community meetings will give us reasonable grounds to make an informed decision.’’

Greater Blacktown Business Chamber president Trevor Oldfield has told WSBA that the business community would prefer Blacktown to retain its proud name.