The induction was held during what is usually a recess period to allow councillors the time to find their feet before the first scheduled council meeting is held to elect the mayor and deputy mayor on January 11.

General Manager James Roncon said it can be an overwhelming amount of information for people new to council to digest.

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The induction process provides the newly elected representative body with the necessary information to successfully undertake their roles as councillors.

"This was the first opportunity our new council has had to meet and be briefed on their new roles, what to expect, and the challenges and opportunities facing Armidale Regional Council," said Mr Roncon.

"A number of councillors have been returned to their roles and they will be able to assist those that are new to the role. It can be a steep learning curve and take some time to adjust to the mechanisms of council."

There were 32 candidates in last year's election, with 18 of those grouped into three above the line groups: The Greens, Labor and the Margaret O'Connor group.

Eleven councillors were elected: Sam Coupland, Paul Gaddes, Jon Galletly, Steve Mepham, Susan McMichael, Debra O'Brien, Margaret O'Connor, Paul Packham, Todd Redwood, Dorothy Robinson and Brad Widders.

Across the local government area, 19,214 residential and non-residential electors were enrolled to vote and of those, 16,136 turned out to vote (83.98 per cent) and of those who did vote, 5.66 per cent voted informally and were not counted.

But it will be a game of musical chairs at the next election. Votes were also tallied on the referendum question: Do you support a reduction in the number of councillors for Armidale Regional Council from eleven to nine?

From the 15,804 formal votes counted, a substantial majority of 68.91 per cent said yes, they are in favour of the reduction.

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