It's alleged ratepayer and developer Andrew McCullagh has defamed mayor Mary Knowles and general manager Des Jennings through a Facebook page titled Northern Midlands Council Watch and in several emails.

Hobart law firm Butler McIntyre and Butler sent a letter to Mr McCullagh on Friday threatening to file defamation proceedings against him if he did not apologise to the pair and promise to not defame them in future within 14 days.

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The alleged defamation grounds for councillor Knowles and Mr Jennings were for damages to their reputations about their performance at the council.

The Examiner has sighted the 14-page letter from the law firm.

It stated all of the allegations made against the pair were denied and the maximum amount of damages that may be awarded for non-economic loss was set at $421,000.

"Your publications represent scurrilous attacks upon their reputations without any foundation," it said.

"Cr Knowles enjoys a fine reputation as an elected official of the NMC.

"Her election to the office of mayor is an indication of the high regard in which the ratepayers of the NMC hold her.

"Mr Jennings is not an elected official. He holds office as a servant of the ratepayers of the NMC. He also enjoys a fine reputation as a council administrator and could never have been appointed to his current role without that reputation."

Mr McCullagh said he was trying to hold the council to account for its actions and would continue to do so, but wanted to resolve the matter amicably.

The various emails, allegedly defaming the pair, were sent to Premier Peter Gutwein, Local Government Minister Mark Shelton, councillors and council staff.

The council was contacted for comment, but did not wish to at this time.

If defamation proceedings are lodged against Mr McCullagh, questions remain over if the council will foot the legal bill for councillor Knowles and Mr Jennings.

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