Testifying to how well thought out the arguments were, Joint Regional Planning Panel chair Pam Allen noted that despite the many presentations made on the day, there was very little repetition.

From fears of contamination of local waterways to doubts over the actual ownership of the site – something we will doubtless hear more about in the not-to-distant future –- the discussion at the meeting was a clear demonstration of the capacity for the community to stand up and be heard.

What we have seen with the anti-tip campaign is the emergence of a well-organised community group ready to defend its neck of the woods from what it fears is irresponsible development.

There are similar groundswells emerging elsewhere in the Shoalhaven. In recent weeks we have seen the residents of Worrigee mount a successful campaign to halt a community housing development on what they had justifiably assumed was a reserve in their street.

And at Culburra Beach, residents concerned about a proposed big development there have taken the first steps to ensure their views are heard and not misrepresented.

Governments who choose to ignore that growing grassroots sentiment do so at their own peril.