KNOWING every street, bridge name or mover and shaker in the Southern Downs is an impossible task for one person.

Killarney cattle grower and town planner Jamie Mackenzie said geographical council divisions would "put the 'local' back into local representation.

His comments came following an article in Monday's Daily News where Mayor Ron Bellingham spoke out about suggestions of having elected officials represent different geographical areas rather than the region as a whole.

Last week it was announced three Queensland councils - Townsville, Gympie and the Fraser Coast - would be put into divisions at the next local government elections in March.

"When he (Cr Bellingham) recently opposed future internal divisions within the Southern Downs Region, Mayor Cr Bellingham was not thinking of councillors nor the smaller communities," Mr Mackenzie said.

"The absence of divisions contributes to the current feelings in Killarney, Allora and Stanthorpe of being left out.

"Without divisions, every councillor is expected to know the detailed history and geography of the entire region, every road and bridge name and be at every function to consult with the local population."

Since amalgamation, the issue of divisions has been a hot topic - especially after Warwick residents felt slugged with a democratic deficit by having five out of the nine elected officials based in Stanthorpe, despite the township having a much smaller population.

Political observers predict Warwick residents will vote with their feet in the March election and if a Melbourne Cup field of contenders stand in the south, splitting the vote, Stanthorpe could have little, if any, representation.

"Simple divisions would put the 'local' back into local representation," Mr Mackenzie said.

"So that a divisional councillor could work closely with the locals in Stanthorpe, Allora, Killarney, Warwick and areas in between on local issues, ranging from community identity and appearance, recreation, local service provision, social planning and support for local enterprises and infrastructure."

Mr Mackenzie suggested three or four divisions in the region and even drawing up a potential map (pictured).

He's not the only Southern Downs resident stirred by Monday's article.

Readers took to our website for fiery debate on the topic.

"Parochialism is good because it means representatives acquire a better knowledge of their area and become a more effective voice," Stanthorpe's Mary Rofe wrote.

"I agree that the right people need to be elected and that is far more likely to happen if the candidates are well known by the people who elect them."

While Darryl Evans said he felt divisions meant councillors would represent the entire community.

"Which councillor represents Allora or Pratten," he said.

"Who is the councillor that lives in Killarney or Dalveen?"