Tenterfield Shire Council took the bold step and became one of the first councils in Australia to show support in favour of supporting a same-sex marriage equality proclamation in September 2014.

The City of Melbourne and Yarra councils were the latest to vote on the proposal and unanimously passed motions to support marriage equality and to write to the federal government informing it of the motion.

City of Melbourne councillor Rohan Leppert said his decision to bring the Melbourne council into the marriage equality campaign was largely informed by the public.

“In response to lots of residents talking to me over the course of the last few months, I thought we should get in the debate and help to add pressure to the government.

Australian Marriage Equality national director Rodney Croome believes the City of Melbourne’s support will have a positive impact.

“Fostering social inclusion is core business for local government and marriage equality is key to inclusion for LGBTI people.”

Other local government areas which have passed motions in support of marriage equality include Sydney, Geelong, Hobart, Randwick, Marrickville, Blue Mountains, Surf Coast Shire, Albury, Ballarat, Wodonga, Byron Bay, Gosford, Tenterfield, as well as dozens of others.

The push started when Byron Bay mayor Simon Richardson sent out a request for support of a marriage equality proclamation.

“We believe our elected leaders have a responsibility to protect the rights of all citizens,” he said.

Mr Richardson plans to continue the push and hopes to garner support from dozens more councils before taking the proclamation to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.