Greens councillor Mithra Cox spoke in support of Liberal Councillor John Dorahy's idea of light rail, saying Wollongong needed a range of better transport measures to become more sustainable and support businesses in the CBD.

"Retail is not dead, retail is dead in Wollongong because we don't have a really good integrated public transport network," she said.

"People are just absolutely limited by our lack of imagination. i think it's absolutely a false argument to say that just because our other public transport is crap - that our train is infrequent, and the government cut funding to the free bus - that we shouldn't even bother talking about this."

Cr Cox wants Wollongong to tap the $20 million announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison for innovative recycling projects, and will move at Monday's meeting for Wollongong City Council to express its interest.

Others protesting outside Wollongong City Council's premises on Thursday were angry at the "gall" of the council to take such action weeks after declaring a climate emergency and just days after thousands of people hit the streets of Wollongong demanding climate justice.

Chanting "listen in Mr Brown, keep that carbon in the ground", most of the protesters' frustration was aimed at Labor councillor David Brown.

It was Cr Brown who drove the deferral at Monday night's council meeting, saying he supported a council emissions target but wanted to ensure residents were supportive. Wollongong will now miss the deadline for setting an emissions target under its 2017 agreement with the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy; it was required to set a "science-derived" target by August/September.

This has angered many in the community, including activists from the Youth Environment Alliance (YEA) and climate strike organiser Martin Cubby.

In her successful campaign to convince councillors to find a home ground for the premier women's team, Ms McDonogh told councillors that JJ Kelly Park, where the team plays most of its "home" games, was leased out by the council for just over $600 a year. This was then subleased, she said, to the Stingrays at a cost of about $12,000.

Mr Karayiannis confirmed that the Stingrays paid Coniston $12,454 per year, for five match days or 55 games per year.

Wollongong will now miss the deadline for setting an emissions target under its 2017 agreement with the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy; it was required to set a "science-derived" target by August/September.

Greens Councillor Mithra Cox voted against the deferral and said she was saddened and disappointed, especially after thousands of residents took to Wollongong's streets last week to demand action over climate change.

She noted emissions targets had been in development for several years, and that the council had signaled its intention to act on greenhouse emissions by declaring a climate emergency last month.

She said it was "absolutely imperative" the council consult with residents and businesses on developing an action plan for how it would achieve the targets, but that "consulting on these targets undermines the whole thing".