So, like many residents, we welcome Shoalhaven City Council’s decision to rein in the proposed Parson Street office development which in its latest iteration would have been 3.5 metres over and above the established height limit for that part of Ulladulla.

As Shoalhaven Mayor Amanda Findley said, that limit was set after extensive consultation with the community during the drawing up of the Local Environment Plan and Development Control Plan. To allow a spot rezoning would have broken faith with the community and continued an unfortunate council habit in the Shoalhaven that over decades has resulted in regrettable planning disasters. One just has to look at Nowra to see where the planning process has been derailed.

Even a development that conforms to planning limits may be problematic, with plenty of vacant shops and office space already existing in the centre of Ulladulla. One can only assume the developer has done their homework and can see demand growing into the future. The last thing our town needs is a hulking big office block that either sits empty or sucks the lifeblood out of existing buildings.

What is refreshing is the fact council was prepared to listen to the community outcry over the initial plan and overturn its earlier decision to allow height limits to be exceeded by a whopping 46 per cent. This is a win for the community and a win for council.

Good news, too, is the decision to conduct a review into height limits south of Deering Street during which the community will again be consulted.

Just as it is vital for the rules to be adhered to, it is also important for economic growth that those rules are reviewed regularly to test their relevance in an ever-changing world. As long as the community is part of that review process and has its say in the future shape of the town, there is nothing to fear. We need to have the flexibility to evolve with the times.

Cr Mark Kitchener is to be applauded for listening and helping to reverse an unpopular decision.