In a letter sent to the Bay Post/Moruya Examiner this week, Cr Leslight said the 

electorate needed to be aware of the “crippling plans and policies” being endorsed in the Eurobodalla but not by neighbouring councils.

These crippling plans and policies, he said, included the Local Environment Plan and its E-zones and overlays, bio-certification and sea-level rise policy.

“It is the result of a group of councillors blindly following what they are told by council administration, often with minimal justification, and usually without alternatives being offered,” Cr Leslight said.

“In doing so, it is the administration’s wish that is being served - not that of our community.”

Cr Leslight said he was “frustrated and angered at the contempt shown by certain councillors” using the division in council “as a means to get away with things that would not normally be accepted”.

He said he and fellow ERA councillors Liz Innes, Peter Schwarz and Neil Burnside were elected on platform of reform.

“I was hopeful that the support we received from the electorate would have demonstrated to other councillors; particularly those remaining from the previous council, that there was a significant backlash against the way things were being done in the Eurobodalla,” Cr Leslight said.

“To our disappointment, and that of our many supporters, nothing has been learnt by those councillors.

“A review of voting at council meetings will confirm the five versus four voting pattern or see the mayor use his casting vote when one of his cohorts is absent.”

Cr Leslight said that unless there was a radical change in attitude, there was a real possibility the council could be dismissed or suspended.

“It would also be unsurprising to see forced amalgamation being seen as an option,” he said.

“Our local member and government minister has said as much. 

“Intervention by the state government into our affairs should be avoided at all costs 

but we cannot continue the path being followed.”