Mr Constance, speaking at the Batemans Bay Chamber of Commerce meeting on Wednesday night, took aim at the council, slamming its recent political game playing over the Broulee Biodiversity Certification Strategy, its drawn out Local Environment Plan and sea-level rise policy, its hesitation in progressing the Batemans Bay link road and aquatic centre projects and stifling development in the shire more broadly.

He told the Bay Post/Moruya Examiner that the council can “barely rub two sticks together”, and that a lack of community confidence was preventing the shire from moving forward.

The threat of dismissal is not so far-fetched.

Eurobodalla Shire Council was dismissed in the early 1980s by then South Coast MP John Hatton.

The reasons why were never fully publicised, but there were questions about the way the riding system was being used.

The council was placed under the control of an administrator for about 12 months.

Dismissals have come in more recent times, too.

The NSW Government reportedly sacked Shellharbour City Council on the grounds of constant infighting and incompetence among Councillors in 2008.

Warringah Council was dismissed following “vicious and uncompromising infighting amongst councillors” along with significant community dissatisfaction.

If Eurobodalla Shire councillors continue on their path, they might find themselves on shaky ground.