Residents have expressed concerns that the councillors and officers will be completely absorbed in solving problems stemming from the fire and particularly in finding a new location for the administration block and will not be focusing on the development planned for the area.

Liverpool's population is expected to double due to the land releases as part of the south-west growth centre plan.

The residents of Edmondson Park have been waiting several years for development to get under way in their suburb and say they fear it may be held up as a result of the fire.

Liverpool mayor Wendy Waller said the blaze would not stop development from going ahead in the area's rural zone, because that was just part of the council's operational agenda.

``That's just about process. All the planning is done, so that will continue,'' Ms Waller said.

``We've been doing everything we can in the background to get development going in Edmondson Park and make sure everything is running smoothly.

``But development in the release areas is very much a matter for the market. And the market will determine the speed with which things happen.

``Local government can't stimulate demand or actually drive the pace of development.''

Councillor Tony Hadchiti said he at first had doubts about how quickly the council could recover and get on with its work right after the fire, but now he didn't.

``For the next few weeks things will slow down, but they will come back on track soon,'' Cr Hadchiti said.

``I don't think this fire will hold us back now.

``At first I was worried, but now I can see that the staff have handled it really well and are working hard to get everything back to normal.''

When asked if the council's potential move to the central business district could further distance the councillors and staff from the interests of the rural zone, Cr Gary Lucas said it would not.

``If it does happen, it would just be a move to a site 500 metres away,'' Cr Lucas said.