Cr Lawrence spoke at the May Dubbo Regional Council meeting about how he had been threatened, admitting it had been "difficult... in some ways".

"I've been the recipient of a number of threats in recent days," Cr Lawrence said.

"It was said on Saturday that people are very angry and if certain things happen I might get bashed. People have said things on Facebook about how people should come to my house and bash me and then get bail and come back and bash me again."

The deputy mayor - who is also a barrister - acknowledged that emotions were high in the community but said he was not affected by the threats and would not be deterred from pushing for an investigator.

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"I'm fortunate in some ways that it's an integral part of my profession to stand up to bullies. I find that I've become used to doing it and quite accustomed to doing it and completely firm in my resolve to take forward these matters that relate to the issue of the independent investigator," Cr Lawrence said.

The councillors unanimously supported hiring an independent investigator on Monday night.

The investigator will look into council to determine if the organisation has been compliant with its legal and regulatory obligations and if there are any systemic issues arising from the investigation that might require reforms to council policies.

Someone will be nominated for the role by Local Government NSW.

There were 23 complaints made against council within two months. Ten of those were referred to O'Connor Marsden and Associates for investigation.

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