It comes after Liberal councillor Mitchell Griffin submitted the notice of motion last month to start preparations ahead of the Bicentenary of Morpeth in 2021.

Speaking on the matter, Cr Griffin said it was an important milestone for the Morpeth community, and should be a “flagship” event.  

“This is an exciting time for Morpeth. Looking at the township of Morpeth, they are very different from the rest of Maitland,” he said. 

“It’s a significant event, and something that can really bring that community together.”

The motion will also see the appointment of six Morpeth residents or business people, and Maitland’s three North Ward councillors to oversee the event.

But the motion sparked debate with Labor councillor Robert Aitchison pushing for an amendment on calling the bicentenary a “flagship event”. 

Cr Aitchison said he was “fearful of using the term flagship too early”, especially in regards to funding. 

“I don’t know if we as a council or a committee or group, have enough details of what a flagship event is,” he said.  “We have the likes of Steamfest, Riverlights Cultural Festival,  Aroma and Bitter and Twisted. They are budgeted … and we have a good idea of money and resources.

“Whether it is on the same status of Steamfest, I don’t know. I think it should be determined later on. I’d hate to paint us in a corner where we have problems later on trying to fund it. At this point of time, we are trying to make it too finite in details.

“We still have time to prepare for this, and we will do it.”

Cr Aitchison also queried limiting the committee to three North Ward councillors, and asked for it to be removed. 

But the amendment was shot down by Independent councillor Philip Penfold.

“I think that the term flagship wasn’t necessarily intended to be tied to the use of the word by Vibrant City. I’m sure the intent was that it be an occasion of significance,” Cr Penfold said. 

“I fear that we are over complicating this. The original motion by Cr Griffin is a positive step … I think the timing is important.”

The original motion was unanimously supported by councillors. 

Morpeth was founded by Napoleonic War veteran Lieutenant Edward Charles Close who established the township in 1821 –  which makes it Australia’s second oldest port.

Previous anniversaries for the town include the unveiling of the war memorial for the towns centenary in 1921 and the memorial stone in 1971.