SOUTHERN Downs Regional Council says it has cut staff numbers and will shed more in austerity moves designed to reduce costs.

The council said it had reduced its labour force to numbers below both pre-amalgamation and amalgamation levels.

It said it employed 340 people across its region at the end of June - 25 people fewer than the combined Warwick Shire Council (255) and Stanthorpe council's (110) 365 staff prior to amalgamation.

SDRC mayor Peter Blundell said the number of staff would further diminish during the next few years with many staff being close to retirement.

He said the council and senior management were following a policy of replacing from within where possible when a position became vacant and evaluating the need for staff.

"We have a great group of people working for council," Cr Blundell said.

"Their commitment, dedication to work and expertise guide us in our decision-making processes, as well as delivering real outcomes and services for the community.

"Like any organisation though, council must ensure that costs are kept down, and some of the most considerable costs are employee costs.

"Managing and supporting an effective and suitably sized workforce is a key element to ensuring consistency with the long-term financial sustainability of council."

He said in the next 12 months a review would be conducted on each business unit and service of the council to ensure it was a service that was appropriate and the review should identify further areas for savings and efficiencies.

He said the size of the Southern Downs Regional Council labour force was comparable to a number of other local government authorities based on population.

The Scenic Rim Council with a population of 37,780 employed 355 staff in 2014, while South Burnett with a population of 35,753 employed 308 for the same year.

Southern Downs Regional Council has a population of approximately 36,000.