For the local Aboriginal community, the excision of the 15 lots (Stage E) adjacent to the sacred Diamond Tree on the southern side of the development is a relief.

Gumbaynggirr elder, Uncle Gary Williams, said having no houses there would be a good thing.

“That was one of the worries we raised with the council back in June, so we are happy that has been respected” Uncle Gary said.

“The (Link) road is still a sore point.”

For Leanne Boatfield, director of the Teddy Bears Kindy and a passionate campaigner against the development since it first surfaced in 2009, having the opportunity to speak and be heard was itself a relief.

“I felt listened to for the first time since all this began,” Leanne said.

“I am very glad to see that Stage E has been quashed but there was nothing I could do about the Link Rd, as that was excised from the development by the council.

“I did however manage to have the need for a traffic audit included in the conditions.

“And also to make clear it needs to be done when there are already some houses there.

“The developer has agreed to pay for the audit but it remains unclear as to who will pay for any traffic calming devices that may be required.”

The Teddy Bears Kindy is situated on Marshall Way, next to what will become a busy route, linking Newee Creek and Bowraville directly with the commercial hub at Bellwood.

Chair of the JRPP, Garry West, said the construction of the Link Rd was deemed to be essential to the development of the area as it provided valuable connectivity between existing residential areas and the local shopping centre.

“The release of this land onto the Nambucca housing market will increase supply and improve affordability and will benefit the wider Nambucca area, which currently lacks housing diversity and experiences high costs in rental and affordable housing,” Mr West said.

He said the panel had approved the development because it saw the need, now it was up to the developer and market demand to take the next step.