Council received a total of 1,639 submissions in support or opposition to Coal & Allied’s request to close the road when the public exhibition period began on March 1.

Council staff then spent several months collating the responses in preparation of a report to Councillors for consideration on whether to make application to the Minister for Lands and Forestry to make a final decision to close the road.

The report will be available on Wednesday prior to the meeting.

General Manager Jason Linnane said an extraordinary meeting was appropriate given the level of public interest in the matter.

“The question of whether or not to close Wallaby Scrub Road has been debated in a range of forums since it was raised, and the significant number of submissions demonstrates the community interest in the issue,” he said.

“It is important that Councillors have the time to consider all the submissions received, and that we hear the views of everyone with an interest in Wallaby Scrub Road so that we can make an informed, considered decision.

“With a number of planning matters already on the agenda for the ordinary meeting this month, Councillors considered it was appropriate to hold an extraordinary meeting to give this issue due consideration.”

Road closures are governed by the Roads Act 1993. Council does not have the power to close the road, but can make application to the Minister of Lands and Forestry to make a final decision.