A COUNCIL decision to sell land in Stanthorpe has been branded an "act of contempt" towards the community in the face of a pending de-amalgamation.

In a council meeting in May, Southern Downs councillors voted to auction the council works depot on Short St in Stanthorpe.

Southern Downs mayor Tracy Dobie said the small number of staff and equipment in the depot would be moved to another council-owned depot on MacKenzieSt.

She said claims the council planned to consolidate its property in Stanthorpe were untrue.

"The number of staff in Stanthorpe are only about two less than at amalgamation and those staff are now located at the main administration building and the MacKenzie St depot."

"This is income to council and in long term rates will be paid on that land."

But Granite Belt Community Association president Alan Colyer said the council's move was "premature".

"I don't think council should be selling anything in the Granite Belt that belongs to the previous shire, bearing in mind that there is a process under way to de-amalgamate," he said.

"This is an act of contempt towards the community who support de-amalgamation."

Reverend Colyer said the council was "shutting another door" to the Granite Belt community by selling the land.

"If de-amalgamation is rejected by the government we haven't got a leg to stand on but in the moment, one would think they should show a bit of decorum and hold off until the matter is finalised," he said.

Mr Colyer said a financial feasibility study soon would determine whether the de-amalgamation could go ahead.

Pulling together a team of highly-qualified barristers and economic analysts, the study is expected to cost $80,000.

"I do believe the community will pay for that. We are putting together letters now and the request for income will go out soon," he said.

Rev Colyer said the support for de-amalgamation was still strong, and some had already come forward with modest donations.