This is despite Labor councillor Bruce Mills and Greens councillor Andrew Martin opposing the motion to release rural bushland sites for urban purposes.

A decision by Cr Mills to circulate an email warning residents about the negative impacts development in South Dural would cause ensured the motion was the subject of considerable debate.

Cr Mills said he ‘‘was doing his job’’ to represent the hundreds of residents who wrote to him expressing concern.

‘‘Many of my constituents haven’t been informed about this issue and I’m here to represent them,’’ Cr Mills said.

‘‘There’s been no community consultation and I have big concerns about the lack of infrastructure and traffic problems this development will cause.’’

The six Liberal councillors dismissed Cr Mills claims ‘‘as a beat up during an election year’’.

Cr Evans said the South Dural site hadn’t been ‘‘plucked out of the air’’ and had been in the planning stage for the past four years.

‘‘This motion is to progress the investigation of the site,’’ Cr Evans said.

‘‘We’re not voting on 3000 homes to be built there tomorrow, we’re voting for the Department of Planning and Infrastructure to investigate the matter further.’’

Hills councillors Barbara Burton and Justin Taunton attended the meeting and warned their Hornsby colleagues that careful planning was needed.

Cr Burton raised concerns about the topography and bushfire risks at the north Glenhaven site, while Cr Taunton said any development at South Dural should be planned in conjunction with the Hills Council. If the government approves the two sites for urban purposes it would go through several steps before construction including: rezoning, servicing (key infrastructure), subdivision and sale.