The decision by the Bega Valley Shire Council at Tuesday’s meeting was met by catcalls from protesters, but was applauded by South East Fibre Exports general manager Peter Mitchell and logging industry supporters.

Mr Mitchell said after the meeting that his company, which will be responsible for the running of the plant, was happy to be able to finally get on with the job of producing the fuel pellets for export.

A decision to approve the plant’s development application (DA) was originally made last year.

However, the council’s process – and therefore the DA’s approval - was ruled invalid by the Land and Environment Court in December.

With a number of conditions relating to Ecologically Sustainable Development attached, the DA was re-submitted to the council for its January meeting, but a decision was deferred until reports on noise levels and emissions could be finalised.

At Tuesday’s meeting, the motion to approve the DA was passed 6-2, with councillors Keith Hughes and Liz Seckold against (Cr David Hede was absent).

Cr Pat Campbell said he could see the benefits of the wood pellet plant.

“This is a beneficial use of a waste product,” Cr Campbell said.

“The impacts, which are minimal, can be controlled by the conditions (attached to the DA).”

Cr Graeme Wykes spoke in favour of the motion by questioning what his role as a councillor entailed.

“I trust in the planning department staff and so have to make a judgement of the application as presented,” Cr Wykes said during discussion on the motion.

“It’s not for me, or other councillors, to make judgements on what may happen in the future.”

Councillors Seckold and Hughes disagreed, saying a broader perspective was needed on the subject.

“Supporting an unsustainable industry on its way out is counterproductive,” Cr Seckold said.

Calls of “half-wits”, “idiots” and “shame” from logging industry protesters sounded throughout the council chambers after the vote was passed.