This was the second time a meeting, organised by councillors and senior staff was held regarding the Strategy, and last week's date was chosen to try and capture some of the absentee landlords.

"As some don't like that term, let's call them Hawks Nest/Tea Gardens holiday regulars who own property here and like many locals, deeply care about our slice of heaven," said Christian Patteson, Hawks Nest/Tea Gardens Progress Association President and member of the Strategy Taskforce.

A showing of hands revealed that about 20 of these people were present, and all up, the total attendance was approaching 200 individuals.

"It seemed once again that the majority of those present were very concerned about the Strategy as it stands, and certainly made their views known," said Mr Patteson.

After giving a presentation, Glenn Handford, Director of Planning from Great Lakes Council, took all views on board then praised the attendees for their concern.

"In my many years of town planning, I've rarely seen such a large attendance (in percentage of population) at a public meeting regarding a planning matter," said Mr Handford.

"This shows that the community care very much about their area and future," he said.

During the meeting, the most common remarks people made related to the fact that they had moved to the area for its outstanding natural beauty and low-key development.

"By increasing densities at the expense of town character, the areas ambiance and therefore residents lifestyles would be severely eroded," said Mr Patteson.

An important concern also raised was the fact that such a major issue had not been effectively communicated to all ratepayers in the towns, and that the whole thing could have gone through without residents knowing.

"This really could have happened had some of the councillors not pushed for the two workshops and extension of comment time, but even still, some were concerned that this was not enough," added Mr Patteson.