The vote was locked up, three for and against, but passed with Mayor Bruce MacKenzie’s casting vote.

The development’s density and sparse car parking options raised concerns with councillors Steve Tucker, John Nell and Geoff Dingle who voted against it. Bushfire safety was also a worry.

The plans make provide residents with 13 car spaces with a further four spots for visitors. This raised concerns people would park next door in a reserve.

Lisa Wrightson addressed council in public access on behalf of the developer’s Gosford-based engineers Barker Ryan Stewart.

Ms Wrightson told councillors the firm’s previous projects in Gosford and the Central Coast had similar provisions for cars.

“My experience is that the more car spaces you provide the more cars they will own,” she said.

Cr Geoff Dingle said it was well and good on the Central Coast with its train services.

“People in Mallabula have anything up to an hour’s wait for a bus,” he said.

“The people who buy these units will be young couples and they’ll both have cars.”

Cr Steve Tucker brought the development to a council vote because of his concerns with the units.

“The front of these units is as little as 3.5 and four metres,” he said.

“My study at home is wider.

“But I’m also surprised that previous developments have fallen at the bushfire hurdle but this one has not.”

Councillor Ken Jordan took a pragmatic approach to the development which meets the requirements of the local environment plan.

“If we refuse this it will end up in the land and environment court without a show,” he said.

Residents Ralph Deville and Paddy Twohill spoke against the the Tanilba Road development in public access.

Councillors Sally Dover, John Morello and Ken Jordan voted in favour.

Deputy mayor Chris Doohan and Cr Paul Le Mottee were absent along with Cr Peter Kafer who walked out of the meeting earlier in the night.