The approval of a Werris Creek development application has proven to be the 'last straw' for one long-standing councillor.
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After eight years serving on Liverpool Plains Shire Council, including a stint as deputy mayor, Rob Webster has handed in his resignation.
His vacancy, along with the gap left by former mayor Andrew Hope, means there is now only five councillors remaining.
Mr Webster said he wanted the community to know how disappointed he was, regarding his decision to resign, however he had reached his "tipping point" at the last meeting.
He outlined his increasing angst over "repeatedly ask[ing] management for monthly reports and a more informative flow of information" so councillors could make decisions "based on solid reports and documentation".
In response to Mr Webster's complaint, a council spokesperson told the Leader that "all efforts had been made to meet Mr Webster's requests for information, where appropriate".
At November's council meeting, a report recommended the approval of a development application (DA) to extend Crawfords Freghtlines' operating hours in Werris Creek.
"There were 33 strong submissions from local residents against the development and there had been a number of incidents over the past 12 months where complaints were sent to council by residents regarding the current business, but were not investigated thoroughly by council," Mr Webster claimed.
The DA met all the statutory requirements and failure to pass it would have possibly resulted in council being taken to the Land and Environment Court, which would have ended up costing ratepayers a lot of money.
- Liverpool Plains Shire Council spokesperson
Every councillor, except for Mr Webster, voted in favour of approving the DA.
Mr Webster said he believed the Werris Creek community deserved to have been "treated more fairly".
"[T]here should have been more open discussion and engagement with the residents, as this development could seriously impact on the health of some of the more fragile and elderly residents," he stated.
The council spokesperson noted Mr Webster would be aware of his rights to take any of his concerns to the Office of Local Government.
"Council followed all procedures correctly at the last meeting," they said.
"The DA met all the statutory requirements and failure to pass it would have possibly resulted in council being taken to the Land and Environment Court, which would have ended up costing ratepayers a lot of money."
Mr Webster said he would still be involved with community organisations and could hopefully contribute to the shire in other ways.
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Mayor Doug Hawkins, while two troops down, said the remaining councillors stood "rock solid".
"We are totally committed to finishing off projects that are started," he said.
"This gives the remaining councillors a heavier workload, so I guess we've just got to shoulder those two vacancies until next September, which I believe we are capable of doing."
