The LEP was put to council yesterday following heated public meetings and an intense public exhibition period, which attracted 1389 submissions on the draft plan.

Tensions were high when all councillors, except for Cr Chris Kowal, ignored the protesters’ message, voting instead for the plan to be handed to the NSW Department of Planning.

The councillors did, however, agree that land proposed to become part of the controversial E3 Environmental zoning be considered further.

That concession failed to placate angry residents, who stormed out of chambers, yelling abuse including “you dogs” and “greenie assholes” as they left.

It was a fiery end to a meeting that began with a lengthy public question time which saw 25 residents address council – some for and some against the E3 zoning.

Moruya resident Greg Malavey said most rural property owners wanted a like-for-like solution in the LEP, and not to face restrictive environmental zoning.

Moruya dairy farmer Steve Heffernan said farmers and the local food production industry needed support.

Kevin Bonner claimed council had its own agenda with the draft LEP - a statement Mayor Fergus Thomson asked him to withdraw.

“I will not have those allegations made against staff,” Cr Thomson said.

Mr Bonner then claimed staff had sent out emails asking for submissions in support of the draft LEP during its exhibition period.

“The general manager and myself authorised those statements to be made,” Cr Thomson said.

Tension built in the room when residents who supported the E3 zoning had their say.

Sheila Monahan, from environment group Coastwatchers, called for the draft LEP to be kept “as it is” and said council was “very likely to meet legal obstacles” trying to please 1000 people out of a shire of 36,000.

A group of angry residents called for her time to end.

Abuse was thrown from all ends of the room during public question time, councillor discussions, and after the motion was passed.

Cr Rob Pollock put a motion forward that would see E3 zoning in the draft LEP deferred “for further consideration” and reviewed in the Rural Lands Strategy to determine the most appropriate future land use.

“So the fight continues?” an angry female voice yelled from the audience.

A motion was also passed for council to seek $150,000 from the Planning and Infrastructure Minister to support the strategy.

Planning and infrastructure services director Lindsay Usher said the strategy would take 18 months to two years to complete.

“I recommend we take this plan forward and issues be addressed fully in the future,” Cr Pollock said.

All councillors voted for the motion, except for Cr Chris Kowal, who voted against.

Cr Graham Scobie was absent.