The developer has asked for 55 Wire Lane to be rezoned into "large lot residential zoning" which would allow the block to be subdivided into 1ha lots.

The proposal failed by one vote at Shoalhaven City Council's December development and environment committee but will be heard again at council's ordinary meeting on December 17.

David Rush from Berry Landcare and the National Parks Association of NSW said bodies including the Joint Regional Planning Panel and the NSW Department of Planning have advised against "ad-hoc" rural subdivision development in the Shoalhaven.

Council staff also advised against approving the rezoning.

''It's not an objection for the sake of objecting, it is, however, an objection to the way this proposal has been carried out and has not addressed many important issues," Mr Rush said.

Of particular concern to environmental groups, the land is located in the middle of the Berry Wildlife Corridor, an important area to the conservation of well over 15 threatened species including the Greater Glider.

"Vegetation surveys of Beach Road trees have been undertaken by UOW which reveal the area has one of the highest densities of old-growth trees and hollows in the Berry area," he said.

"There are a number of forest patches which could provide habit for Greater Gliders as well as serve as a movement corridor for the species into the western part of their historical distribution.

"Clearing these trees for development will significantly reduce suitable trees and hollows Greater Gliders and other animals can not only nest in but also use for their dispersal in and out of the wider landscape."

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Speaking to the development and environment committee on behalf of the developer, Michael Park said the proposal was an opportunity to resolve a long standing complex zoning history of the site.

He also said the previous use of the land for agriculture, is a destructive land use, and rezoning would provide improved environmental outcomes.

"[The developers] have a really strong record of environmental land management and the corridor remains largely intact," Mr Park said.

"The rezoning provides an opportunity to formally enhance the corridor through a vegetation management plan as well a introducing a new north-south corridor through the site.

"[The developers] have met with the local landcare group, who are really interested in securing that corridor... [the developers] have offered to dedicate that land to the local landcare group so we can ensure the corridor will be protected in perpetuity."

Mr Rush said although local landcare groups don't take ownership of land, it was more important to address the issue of rezoning and wider implications it could have.

"The application will have wider implications for other rural residential land in the Shoalhaven," he said.

"It's a bit like trying to shut the gate after the horse has bolted.