“The purpose for us being there was to have a listen to and consider the public’s concerns and we’ve done that,” Sports Aviation Flight College Australia’s corporate consultant Norm Boyle said on Thursday.

“It is our job to take those concerns on board and report back to council and the JRPP with our response.

“We’ve had a meeting on Thursday morning with our consultants to start the process.”

With an estimated cost of over $10million, panel chair Pam Allan described the development application as “contentious”, as over 700 public submissions had been received before the meeting inside the Bega Valley Commemorative Civic Centre.

Residents travelled from as far afield as Mallacoota in Victoria to share their concerns with the panel.

Bega Valley Shire mayor Kristy McBain requested the proposal be refused due to the negative social and environmental impacts it could bring residents.

“The environmental impact of surrounding land must be included, not just of the site,” she said.

She claimed a “failure to definitively outline flight paths”, the “overwhelming sentiment” of the public against its construction, and a unanimous council vote to oppose the application as issues the panel should consider.

“It was never the intent for that area to be used for anything other than recreational activities,” Cr Tony Allen told the panel.

Cr Cathy Griff told the panel “the continuity” of plane noise was a concern, along with possible environmental impacts, and Cr Russell Fitzpatrick told the panel he “strongly” recommended the proposal be rejected.

Cr Jo Dodds described witnessing concerned local residents “in tears” at a public meeting in Wolumla last year.

Ms Allan said a determination meeting on the development will be announced at a later date.