The approval of the Rural Lands Strategy (RLS), more than seven years in the making, hangs on the upcoming state election result.
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If approved, the strategy would guide planning decisions for the Eurobodalla Shire, providing a framework for how land can be used.
NSW Minister for Planning Anthony Roberts said he would approve the strategy if the Coalition was re-elected. The Coalition would negotiate final amendments with the Rural Fire Service (RFS).
If the Labor Party is elected, it would insist on more far-reaching amendments to the draft.
Hear why Eurobodalla Shire Mayor Liz Innes wants the strategy ratified:
Hear why one environmental group wants the plan revised:
Kathryn Maxwell from South Coast Health and Sustainability Alliance (SHASA) said if the strategy was approved in its current form, Eurobodalla Shire would move from having the best environment protections to the worst.
She said environmental concerns were not adequately addressed in the strategy's current form.
"We've had over a thousand community submissions opposing this, less than 50 in favour of it, and we've had six state agencies write on a number of occasions over the last three years to express severe concerns and objections with the plan," she said.
"What we're calling for is that the draft is returned to council and the council properly addresses those concerns."
Ms Maxwell said oyster farmers, recreational fishers and nature-based tourism operators had raised concerns about the plan.
She said the current form of the draft would result in extensive clearing of native forests in private land and erosion from clearing of steep slopes.
"This is going to adversely impact magnificent wetlands and our waterways," she said.
Eurobodalla Shire Mayor Liz Innes said concerns she did not listen to agencies were "ill-informed" and came from an "extreme point of view".
"When I looked at some of the information they were putting around to get people to sign petitions, it was based on so much misinformation that I don't blame people for having been concerned," she said.
"When we have concerns from the RFS, or some concerns from government agencies… we've been responsible and worked through that."
She said groups working against the current form of the RLS were doing it for political reasons.
"They saw an opportunity to derail it at the last minute and we are not going to let them win," she said.
"If they do dare to bring this undone, then I would expect that my community - and rightfully so - will rise up and have something to say about that.
"This is about opportunities for our rural community. This is about our future generations coming through can be innovative, can be supported, can be sustainable going into the future."