The key though is the dirt. Banks do not like lending money to developers for big developments down a dirt road.

They like tar, volume of tourists and all mod cons. Like Dee Why.

The magnificent five councillors have given us a chance now with a vote to spend $800,000 on gravel resheeting to bring the road up to a standard where it can better withstand traffic volume and rain events.

Floods will still cause some havoc but with a decent roadbase, that should have been provided years ago, it will be easier to bring back to a reasonable condition again.

The alternative soul-destroying full tar seal option would cost an extra $600,000 on the engineer’s best estimates.

We have learned from past experience to take engineer’s estimates with a grain of salt.

I see ex-mayor Cr Janet Hayes jumped in immediately and launched a rescission motion, which was quickly signed by Cr Ellis Walker and Liz Campbell.

Councillors Hayes and Walker have a long history of supporting tar, but I was surprised Cr Liz Campbell went that way.

Perhaps she does not yet understand the passionate way many people within the Shire and outside feel about this road.

There are still unfortunately councillors at KSC who do not understand the power of Part 3A legislation.

That allowed the Banksias development application to go straight past the LEP Amendment to supposedly protect Plomer Rd and Goolawah from inappropriate development.

Janet Hayes’ assurances that the area could not be overdeveloped were shown to be worthless when “major project in a sensitive coastal area” status was secured without public input.

Again at Saltwater, at South West Rocks, some councillors reckoned they would rezone that area and thereby control what happened there through a Development Control Plan.

The Sydney-based Malbec did not muck around with a DCP.

They have taken their Environmental Assessment with lot plans straight to the Minister, leaving KSC to beg for an interview with Minister Keneally to ask her to demand a DCP - but she does not have to under the legislation.

Perhaps Liz Campbell would have benefited from Thomas Keneally’s speech at the Kempsey RSL years ago to a mixed audience which included many of the area’s business people, when he called for the council to leave Plomer Rd as a rustic road.

That call was greeted by a wave of applause which washed over the ex-mayor and ex-engineer.

That audience seemed to understand that we have an icon down there which will bring tourists to something which is becoming so increasingly rare on the NSW coast.

For me the interesting part was the decisions by Crs Green and Saul, who had in the past voted for tar seal.

They gave us their deciding votes; and to examine the facts, and the opinions of the electorate and tourists, and to make such an important vote against their previously held positions shows a maturity we need in our councillors.

Now they will have to hold firm with Crs Sproule, Snowsill and Gribbin, until the November meeting. They will have to withstand enormous pressure from the opposite side.

I hope they have the courage necessary to stand up against that pressure and a divisive rescission motion.

The argument is over, everyone knows the facts about tar seal, the rest is just politics and bloody-minded ego.

Maybe Andrew Stoner, the local Member for Oxley and leader of the NSW Nationals, could have the last word.

Mr Stoner tells me: “It is rightly the role of local councils to determine priorities for the expenditure of ratepayers’ funds, and it appears that local democracy has worked in relation to Plomer Rd.

“Tar sealing local gravel roads is often sought, however the priority for this type of expenditure should be based on a value for money proposition.

“In other words, the first priority for sealing any of the very many gravel roads on the Mid North Coast should be determined by the social, economic and environmental benefits it would bring.

“With this in mind, Plomer Rd would not be the highest priority because there are very few local residents or businesses who would benefit, and arguably the un- ique environment in the area could suffer.

“In terms of road safety, properly constructed and maintained gravel roads are more than suitable for traffic and often prove more cost-effective for local councils.”