Not only was there animosity between two community factions in the pre-meeting deputations, but it took two separate casting votes to break a councillor deadlock and come to a resolution.

A site management plan for Tura Head Coastal Reserve (The Point) and Dolphin Cove Coastal Reserve was published publicly earlier this year and thought by council to be the best compromise between calls for revegetating the space as a wildlife corridor, and rehabilitating it into recreational open space and beach access.

Spokespeople for those opposing views had their voices heard again on Wednesday, with president of the North Tura Beach Residents' Association (NTBRA) Les Murphy and Living with Nature’s Libby Hepburn trading barbs.

Mr Murphy discussed a petition NTBRA circulated that reportedly showed overwhelming support among local residents of the recreational open space option. He said that “for far too long the voice of the people has been ignored by the council in relation to The Point”.

Meanwhile, claims by Ms Hepburn suggested the clearing of the area of vegetation in question would clearly benefit the members of the association with greatly improved views over the beach. She also made claims of illegal tree poisoning and clearing by some residents and urged council to act on its own policies to stop “wilful damage and destruction".

She was asked by deputy mayor Mitchell Nadin to retract any insinuation of intent, while Mr Murphy was admonished by mayor Kristy McBain for suggesting council staff didn’t want to work with the two volunteer groups.

“We find ourselves as the arbiter between two groups that can’t agree,” Cr McBain said.

Cr Jo Dodds moved a motion that in essence returned the site management plan to what had been previously resolved.

“I hope the community can get behind whatever decision is made today and also get behind council if and when any prosecution is required,” Cr Dodds said.

Her motion was lost 4-4, with Cr McBain using her casting vote to defeat the motion.

Cr Nadin had foreshadowed a motion that confirmed the plan, but with no more replanting nor removal of what was currently in place.

“Draw a ring around it...quarantine the existing vegetation and maintain current access points – there’s no change from where we are today, no replanting, no more removal,” he said, adding that any natural dieback be replaced with low-lying flowering natives instead of trees.

Again the vote was split 4-4, with the mayor casting on the side of approval.

“This option clearly outlines areas that can be touched and those that can’t,” she said.

“I look forward to the volunteer groups being able to move on and get some work done together.”