Eurobodalla Shire Council last year implemented a biodiversity certification process in Broulee.

Under the process, an umbrella plan allows landowners in an associated area to develop their properties, with nearby land offset to protect flora and fauna.

On Tuesday, councillors voted to consult landowners in the South Moruya bio-certification study area.

The area under consideration is shown bounded by red in the map (pictured).

Landowners will be asked to consider options for regulations that would govern development in the area.

Under the first option, bio-certification would not go ahead, but landowners seeking to develop would be required to supply environmental and threatened species impact studies.

Under the second option, bio-certification would proceed in areas where vegetation surveys had already been completed.

Under the third option, bio-certification would proceed over a smaller part of the study area.

Councillors Gabi Harding and Liz Innes opposed the recommendation, but for different reasons. 

Cr Harding, who could not vote on the Broulee matter due to a conflict of interest, declared it a bad policy. 

“It is bad at Broulee and it will be bad at Moruya,” she said. 

“I understand why it is put forward, but I don’t think it is a policy that is a good result for the environment. 

“It is designed for politicians to feel better about allowing ongoing destruction and reduction of endangered species of flora and fauna to make way for structures, developments and growth. 

“It is a net loss to the environment.”

She understood not proceeding would mean extra costs for developers. 

“I understand developers don’t want to pay more than they have to, but what’s a large cost if we are protecting an environment that is going to disappear,” Cr Harding said.

She said the bio-certification process had worked badly across the state. 

“I get what it is trying to do, but it is not being done properly,” she said.  

While she had reservations with the outcome in Broulee, she believed it had been better than in other parts of the state.

“We were lucky we had somewhere we could offset correctly, Cr Harding said. 

“Broulee is the best outcome you could have hoped for.”

Cr Innes rejected the entire  process. 

“We can come up with a scheme that is equitable and that doesn’t cost our community like these types of schemes are going to cost,” she said.

She said until council has clearer policy directions from the State Government, it would be a “disaster” to proceed with bio-certification.”

Cr Schwarz supported the recommendation. 

“I support this on the basis of community consultation,” he said. 

“It is important that council seeks the views of landowners. 

“It is very important in determining the way forward.”

Crs Lindsay Brown, Rob Pollock, Neil Burnside and Danielle Brice also supported the motion.