In the end, a multi-dwelling housing development featuring six villas on Blue Wren Close got the green light at Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's December meeting on Wednesday night.
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But not before there was considerable confusion.
Residents Bob Knuckey and Chris Stone addressed the chamber opposing the DA while Michelle Love from Love Project Management spoke in favour.
There was lengthy debate on the topic.
At one point, councillors considered referring the matter back to its own Development Assessment Panel along with changes to the DA made by council's staff.
Cr Mike Cusato said: "I don't see any other way forward than to let the experts look on this again and have it come back (to us)," he said.
"LEPs and DCP's need to ... suit the areas. It is a very fine line that we tread.
"Council today and in the future will have challenges and this is one of the big ones.
"We are finally putting a magnifying glass on this issue."
He also called for council to put a submission to the state government in the new year covering medium and high density residential housing.
Council today and in the future will have challenges and this is one of the big ones.
- Cr Mike Cusato
Mayor Peta Pinson raised her concern about the 'overdevelopment' of areas although she noted that this development 'is permitted'.
"I do question if we should cater to this kind of development," she said.
"While I appreciate we are a regional city and expected to accommodate a variety of age groups, we are seeing large parcels of land being opened up.
"I am not supporting this development and I am making this clear to the gallery tonight."
Councillors then voted to withdraw the motion that would have allowed development to proceed.
A second motion - Cr Cusato and seconded by Cr Rob Turner - that council refer the matter back to the DAP was put forward.
It was tied at four votes each. With Crs Alley, Cusato, Hawkins and Turner voting for the motion and Crs Griffiths, Intemann, Levido and Pinson voting against.
Cr Pinson then used her casting vote against the recommendation, and the motion was lost.
That led to gasps from the gallery and confusion among the councillors.
Port Macquarie is not a big city. But we are using the same formula here in a regional centre as we do for Sydney. It does not work.
- Bob Knuckey
Senior staff took some 10 to 15 minutes to wade through the governance issues of how they could and should proceed.
With the mayor offering apologies for the delay, the general manager eventually told the chamber 'that we will effectively start the matter again'.
Another motion - from Cr Cusato and seconded by Cr Sharon Griffiths - to grant consent was then put but not before Cr Peter Alley foreshadowed a motion to refuse consent based on the DAP's decision.
But that lapsed for a seconder.
The motion from Casato/Griffiths was then put to grant consent and it was carried five votes to three - Crs Cusato, Griffiths, Hawkins, Intemann and Turner voting for and Crs Alley, Levido and Pinson voting against.
Mr Knuckey said he was 'a bit disappointed' with the outcome.
"We (residents) will look to continue to discuss this issue amongst ourselves," he said.
"Port Macquarie is not a big city. But we are using the same formula here in a regional centre as we do for Sydney. It does not work."
Mrs Love said the DA met all council compliance regulations, and cautioned council against refusal because 'you would be heading to a fundamental change in council's planning policy'.
"The state government calls for the efficient use of land," she said.
"If you are going to change this fundamental measure of development; if council is changing this direction, I don't believe you can do that at this stage of a development."
Cr Lisa Intemann said people who object to this kind of multi-unit development in low density residential areas can tell council their views with a brief submission to the Urban Growth Management Strategy before December 22.
“Just put down your thoughts with heading UGMS and drop to a branch office or email council@pmhc.nsw.gov.au or better yet go to the website and make a formal submission under ‘Have Your Say’,” the councillor said.