Mr Dempster wrote a report claiming the councillors, excluding Janine Booth, had "blinkered opinions" about the region's tourism industry.

"The saddest impression from this meeting is that these four councillors have blinkered opinions and a belief that they are correct," the report stated.

Mr Dempster said it was written in anger and did not reflect HRTA's position.

He said the HRTA and council had got off to a "false start".

"There is no point looking backwards when our region's tourism industry has to move forward.

"We have the opportunity to do this in partnership with council and it would be irresponsible if we failed to take this path."

Mayor Heather Mutimer said the document was wrong.

"Particular statements attributed to me are incorrect," she said.

"Other comments made by myself and other councillors at the meeting have been distorted and taken out of context.

"Threatening comments contained in the email in relation to the HRTA mounting a political campaign against certain councillors are also very disturbing."

Deputy mayor Bill McClenaghan also said comments made about him were untrue.

"We don't see the HRTA as having its act together and we think it needs a lot of help from Tourism Victoria and council because they have not achieved anything yet," he said.

Cr McClenaghan said the council needed to sit down with the HRTA and find a way forward.