A CONTROVERSIAL planning proposal for the most significant rezoning of Mooball in its history has been supported by Tweed Shire councillors.

A rezoning to potentially allow 450sq m blocks will now be put before the NSW Planning Minister for approval after Mayor Katie Milne failed in her effort to have the planning proposal, passed at council’s August meeting, rescinded.

Cr Milne, who was not at the August meeting, said she was “very worried about the character and amenity” of the rural village and wanted to ensure lot sizes greater than 450sq m were ensured.

However, Cr Carolyn Byrne criticised the mayor’s timing as being two months too late.

“The process must be done properly to stop any risk to council,” Cr Byrne said.

Director of engineering Vince Connell said the rezoning plans were at an early conceptional stage and fire, flooding and soil contamination tests would be carried out when a development application was lodged for the site in the future.

Mr Connell assured councillors there would be ample time in the future to address the lot sizes of the development.

“There is still a lot of work to be done in terms of the design of this development,” he said.

“There are major challenges in terms of provisions and future infrastructure requirements on this site. It would be a danger to limit lot sizes now.”

Meanwhile, an investigation into a possible cancer cluster in the town is continuing.

A NSW Health spokesperson has confirmed the Local Health District is seeking out a radiation survey completed in the area in the 1980s. “The Public Health Unit has advised it is following through on the actions agreed to with Dr Malouf and Mr Marshall at a meeting held on October 1, 2015,” the spokesperson said.

“The Public Health Unit will be writing to Dr Malouf and Mr Marshall in the near future to share the results of those actions.”