The development of a bushland covered block at Mossy Point, that is home to endangered wildlife, is set to go ahead after a rescission motion to reverse the green light for the project was knocked out.
Residents and half of the Eurobodalla Shire’s councillors spent three and a half hours prosecuting their arguments before the issue was put to a vote for the second time in seven days just before 5:30 last night.
The new reasons given to support the rescission motion from councillors Mick Johnson, Sharon Winslade and Anthony Mayne included:
– the need for an independent traffic impact study;
– the need for a full ecological assessment of the site; and
– Out of date planning software was used by council when assessing the application.
The result follows a protest meeting last Saturday attended by an estimated 100 local results at the entrance to the site.
Council General Manager Mark Ferguson rejected the need for more assessments before making a decision on the issue after questioning from Councillor Winslade.
“I just disagree with you wholeheartedly councillor,” Mr Ferguson told the meeting.
“I think the staff, the urban planners have assessed it, so have the environmental planners, so have our traffic engineers, so has the Director and on that basis they have formulated a position,” he said.
Councillor Rob Pollack was an apology for the meeting.
Just like last week the mayor Matt Hatcher used his casting vote to reject the rescission motion to keep the approval in place.
“Considering the matter, the report, the planning framework and legislation, casting vote is against the rescission motion and it is lost,” he said.
A number of residents spoken to by the Far South Coast Newsroom last night said they were devastated by the decision.
