The August deferral of the 18 John Oxley Drive rezoning proposal stands after almost one hour of discussion at Wednesday night's Port Macquarie-Hastings Council meeting did not to lead to a further decision.

Rezoning would pave the way for consideration of a future development application for a proposed Masters Home Improvement store and other bulky goods retailing on the former Port Gateway Residential Park site.

King and Campbell, on behalf of the landowner, requested the Planning Minister Pru Goward appoint the Department of Planning and Environment secretary as the relevant planning authority to finalise the rezoning.

The minister first asked the council to reconsider the deferral decision.

Council's general manager Craig Swift-McNair will write to the minister to inform her the council reconsidered the matter as requested and the deferral decision remains in force.

Councillors in August put the rezoning proposal on hold until the completion of a local government area-wide traffic management study and review of the Urban Growth Management Strategy.

Cr Besseling said there were a range of views on the matter, both within council and within the community, and he thought that was evident in the discussion at Wednesday's council meeting.

Cr Lisa Intemann said a SMEC study provided the councillors with sufficient information to make a decision on the traffic impact.

"The matter of economic development is important and I believe that we need to be serious about our approach in this area," she said.

Cr Trevor Sargeant believes bulky goods retailing in that precinct is quite appropriate but the impact of the overall traffic network is a crucial issue.

Cr Sargeant said the council was responsible for a much wider traffic perspective beyond the proposed bulky goods development site.

A motion to proceed with the rezoning was defeated, with Peter Besseling and Lisa Intemann in favour, and Geoff Hawkins, Trevor Sargeant and Rob Turner voting against.

Two other motions from the floor were lost.

King and Campbell director Tony Thorne said there were no planning reasons for the council and the state government to not proceed to rezoning after the completion of the detailed investigation over a four year period.

"The subsequent development of the bulky goods retail precinct will result in the investment in the local economy of $27 million in addition to the investment in the Wrights Road intersection and the creation of 225 to 275 jobs during construction and approximately 200 store jobs (full-time and part-time) once the centre is open," he said.

"The creation of such a large number of jobs in Port Macquarie is regionally significant and the landowner contribution of $500,000 to the Wrights Road intersection signalisation is a significant contribution to state infrastructure."

The state government will contribute up to $7 million for traffic lights and the landowner made a commitment of $500,000.

lisa.tisdell@fairfaxmedia.com.au