The tourist development was proposed for Rockfield Park, between Berry and Kangaroo Valley, and although rejected, proponents the Hamilton family, have indicated they will resubmit an altered application.

The JRPP met at the Nowra School of Arts on Thursday afternoon, with more than 110 people attending the meeting.

Shoalhaven City Council outlined the proposal and raised its concerns, which led to its recommendation to reject the project.

The meeting heard council had received 292 submissions from 185 households, of which 180 objected to the proposal, four were in favour and one was neither for or against.

The panel heard from 12 speakers who were all against the proposal.

Issues such as permissibility in the area’s zoning, the scale and density of the proposal, traffic increases, noise, environmental concerns, visual impact and whether the proposal actually met eco tourism guidelines were raised.

The Hamiltons had proposed a development comprising  42 accommodation units, a function centre, restaurant, onsite sewage treatment plant, pool/gym facilities building,  day spa, bushfire refuge building, manager’s residence, associated infrastructure (landscaping, creek crossings, etc) and a new dwelling house.

Prior to the final determination, the Hamiltons, through planning consultants JBA, sought a deferral of the proposal so it could have the opportunity work with council to address the issues that had been raised.

JRPP chair Pam Allan said it was “late in the day to ask for a deferral”.

The main stumbling block was the permissibility of the function centre.

Ms Allan put the motion to reject the proposal to the panel, which was carried to the cheers from the floor.

Clearly disappointed, David Hamilton said the proposal’s rejection was a “step back for the Shoalhaven”.

“We only got council’s report 10 days ago and were hoping to have the decision deferred so we could talk to council about the issues raised and work together,” he said.

“We will make changes and resubmit another application.”