A Byron shire councillor has threatened to slap an elderly woman in the face during a rowdy protest outside the councillor's real estate office.

The incident took place outside Rose Wanchap's real estate office in Byron Bay as protesters gathered to call for her resignation from Byron Shire Council.

Cr Wanchap was originally elected to the council on a Greens ticket.

Earlier this year she quit the Greens and has since been voting with pro-development councillors.

During the protest, Cr Wanchap tried to address her critics and threatened an elderly woman.

"You just be be careful or you'll get a slap in the face," Cr Wanchap said.

'I lost it for a moment': Cr Wanchap

Protester Maggie Luke responded quickly to the remark.

"Oh are you? Go on, give me a slap in the face then," Ms Luke said.

Cr Wanchap was apologetic when asked about the incident.

"I lost it for a moment there," she said.

"I would never do that; it's not my way."

Cr Wanchap said the Greens on the Byron council had lost their way and simply opposed all proposed development.

Cate Coorey, from the Byron Residents Association, said Cr Wanchap would never have been elected as an independent.

"She holds the balance of power in Byron Shire Council, so that is not even close to proportional representation," Ms Coorey said.

"People are angry that she's done this.

"They're angry that she hasn't stood up for what they believed she would say and do."