An alternative petition, of those supporting the development, has also been circulating online and has gathered 604 signatures so far.

Cr Kaye Gartner was going to introduce an urgent motion at the ordinary meeting to 'call in' the development and have it determined by councillors but the motion was not heard. Instead, it will be brought to the next development and environment committee on May 5.

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Cr Gartner said members of the community who live around Burrill Lake are concerned about the size and scale of the new development that's being proposed.

"People are really concerned - it's just a very, very big new development and incompatible with the lakeside environment that they know in love, and that is a big feature of the unspoiled Shoalhaven," she said.

"It's already a motel site, everyone knows that... It's the size and scale of the current design that the community's concerned about and they'd like that reviewed"

She said community members would like to see an alternative design which "leaves the foreshore as foreshore" and is proportionate with the scale of other buildings in the area.

The petition supporting the proposal argues the Edgewater Motel development will have positive impacts on employment and produce income for suppliers in the Ulladulla area.

"Our unemployment rate is heading to 15 per cent - even before the full effects of COVID-19 hit - we need employment, not selfish bondage to the past," the petition said.

"I urge you to please support us in supporting this development and stand up for a forward-looking community that is not obsessed with poor quality, run down 1960's architecture."