Tensions reached fever pitch last week when Eurobodalla Ratepayer Association councillors failed in their vote against the Broulee strategy.

Votes were equal when the mayor used his casting vote, approving the strategy and giving the green light to several Broulee developments to process.

That same night, three ERA councillors lodged their bid to rescind its approval.

It was expected the rescission motion would be considered at the council’s ordinary meeting on July 8,

This meeting, coincidentally, would be missed by Councillor Rob Pollock, who would be on holidays.

An extraordinary meeting was then called and finalised by Thursday to consider the ERA rescission motion. 

However Cs Neil Burnside and Milton Leslight had “prior arrangements” and did not attend, nor did Crs Liz Innes and Peter Schwarz.

A quorum was not met and the matter is set to again be considered on Tuesday.

Cr Pollock since deferred his travel plans, at great cost.

Councillor Neil Burnside said in an email to council staff and media yesterday afternoon that the ERA was “never told that Cr Pollock was going on holidays” and only heard about it on ABC radio.

“Are we to assume that extraordinary meetings are being called to fit in with Cr Pollock’s holiday plans? – now that’s extraordinary!” Cr Burnside said.

Assuming all councillors again attend on Tuesday, it is likely the rescission motion will be voted down.

But not all is lost for the ERA.

Bega MP Andrew Constance has assured he has already been in contact with the Environment Minister in an attempt to convene a meeting with the council to nut out concerns.

He did, however, reiterate the need to progress developments “as soon as possible”.

And the state government Biodiversity Offset Policy, in the process of being finalised, could also bring change.

Would the same result have come without the political game playing of the past week? Who knows.

One thing is for certain, the divide between our elected representatives has grown to an irreversible expanse.