However a rescission motion, signed by three councillors, was lodged the next day and the matter will now come back to next month’s meeting.

More than 40 people filled the gallery to address council on the LUS or speak on proposed developments in Clarence Town and Vacy.

Both the SA and LUS have been in the planning stages over the past 21 months with public meetings held in a number of centres early last year.

Manager of Planning Matthew Brown said the documents are immensely important from a land use planning perspective as they propose the strategic direction and planning framework for the Dungog Local Government Area through to the year 2031.

“The LUS is not an LEP and does not enact any zoning changes,” Mr Brown said.

“The project only considers broad land uses, the specifics of the permissible uses will be at the LEP stage in the future zoning tables.”

A number of residents in the Common Road area of Dungog spoke against changing the zoning to rural enterprise or light industry.

Resident of Hillview Manor Dr Peter Byrne said he presented council with a petition signed by 140 people.

“A large number are from a densely populated area . . . is this such a place for a clash of land use strategies?” he asked.

“This development would create an eyesore and a blight on the community.”

Long-time Burton Street resident Norm Shelton was concerned properties would be de-valued if the area was rezoned industrial.

“There is noise and dust coming from the businesses in this area already,” he said.

“I know trucks have to get going early in the morning but it wakes me up.

“Industry needs to be on the other side of the pipeline, away from the residential area.”

Cr Ian Lloyd foreshadowed an amendment after “listening to the common sense of the occupants of the area”.

“We should be voting with common sense and protect the towns and villages we live in,” he said when addressing the issue of the Common Road area.

“I have been swayed by speakers north of Common Road and feel there will not be a rush of industry to town.

“I feel that people should have a substantial buffer zone and the only development of general industrial land should be west of the pipeline.

“Current industries can stay and the flood of others can go to this area.”