One of the many hotly debated issues of his time related to a Salt Ash BMX track originally proposed for the equestrian grounds but in August 2017 was shifted to Michael Drive, next to Salt Ash community hall.

"There are families here asking me where is the BMX track because the kids have nothing else to do. We don't want them riding their bikes on the roads and around the service station … someone will get killed.”

A council spokesperson said that at the request of councillors, staff recently undertook community consultation on the Salt Ash BMX proposal with four options put out for public comment.

“The report will come back before council at a date to be determined, after further consultation," the spokesperson said.

Three of the four options call for funds, about $50,000 according to Mr MacKenzie, to be reallocated to the Mallabula BMX track or the Salt Ash community hall. A notice of motion calling for funds to be diverted was withdrawn prior to the August 15 meeting.

When asked to comment about plans to redirect funds away from the Salt Ash BMX track, the ex-mayor responded: “If they [councillors] want a war, they'll get one."

Salt Ash mother Melissa Marshall said that the kids are sick of waiting. “There is not much else for the kids of Salt Ash to do, surely they can’t take this facility away from them."

Earlier stories:

2015: Fears grow over BMX track soil

2015: Fencing for BMX track soil dump

2015: Criticism bouncing off mayor

2016: Salt Ash soil not contaminated says Port Stephens Council

2016: Macka vows to build BMX track