Killing E Zones described as 'absolutely bonkers'

CONFLICT between Lismore City Council progressive allies has aired out on social media after a vote on environmental planning controls at Tuesday's meeting.

Debate on E Zones was heated at Lismore City Council chambers on Tuesday night. Picture: Northern Star

CONFLICT between Lismore City Council progressive allies has aired out on social media after a vote on environmental planning controls at Tuesday night's meeting.

Councillors resolved 7:4 against a planning staff recommendation to enact Environmental Zones (E Zones) across 170 rural properties.

Amendments removing council's support of E Zones on agricultural land and making the zones opt-in for landowners were passed instead.

A rescission motion against the amendments was later lodged by three councillors including Greens' Adam Guise.

Cr Guise criticised the amendments for weakening the State Government's intended purpose of E Zones.

"Making E Zones voluntary is the killing of E Zones, which is absolutely bonkers because there will be some instances where agricultural land has pockets of ecological species that are the last of the last, the most precious of our region, which has the third highest biodiversity in Australia."

Lismore City councillors continue their debate on social media. Picture: Contributed

Cr Guise took a swipe at Labor's Mayor Isaac Smith for sinking the motion, after what was a heated debate in council chambers.

"We spoke very strongly. In my mind, (Mayor Isaac) Smith is supposedly a progressive, so it was a shock," Cr Guise said.

Mayor Smith conceded he had "change of heart", arguing it would be a waste of $40,000 in State funding to enact E Zones on properties where landowners didn't want them.

Lismore City councillors continue their debate on Facebook. Picture: Contributed

"Of 170 potential zones about 65% properties won't be applicable because under the directive they have to be managed for environment outcomes and in most cases this is just not happening.　

"So my vote was really looking at the other 35% - I believe at least half of those would want E Zones and they would be able to opt in.

"Why would we go and try to pout them in for people who don't want them?"

Lismore City councillors continue their debate on social media. Picture: Contributed

Three councillors, including Cr Vanessa Ekins, engaged in debating the issue on Facebook shortly after the meeting.

Cr Smith said social media was not his "preference" to debate topics but defended his response to fellow councillors' "blatant lies" on Facebook last night.

"I think you need to be careful when using Facebook to make arguments that are not true - like I don't support E Zones."

Cr Smith said he would consider changing his vote at the March meeting, based on further consultation.

Lismore City councillors continue their debate on social media. Picture: Contributed

Meanwhile, NSW Farmers welcomed the council's decision, for land used for food and fibre production.

Executive councillor and Lismore farmer Kath Robb said farmers already undertook voluntary conservation work.

"If this decision means that mandatory E zones will be removed from farming land, then it is a big step forward in enhancing certainty for farmers, the environment and a farmer's ability to manage their farm business unimpeded," Ms Robb said.

Lismore City councillors continue their debate on social media. Picture: Contributed

Lismore Council's decision follows the Kyogle Shire council's decision last year to remove mandatory E Zones from land zoned for agricultural production.