Mayor Larry Whipper and Councillor Jim Clark moved a motion for council to review the temporary use clause, immediately.

Mayor Whipper said development applications (DA) that came before councillors recently had highlighted the need for a concrete definition of the 'temporary use' clause as it related to E3 zoned areas.

The issue came to light earlier this year when councillors debated the merits of a DA submitted by Mount Ashby Estate owners Christopher Harvey and Sally Beresford, which sought temporary use of the site for development and expansion related to hosting wedding functions.

The DA, recommended for a 12-month approval by council staff, was approved with the Mayor's casting vote at the March 23 meeting but was later rescinded in favour of a three-year period of approval.

Land zoned under the E3 Environmental Management category is restricted from certain types of development and land use.

A council spokesman said a temporary approval could be sought under the Temporary Use of Land Clause under the Wingecarribee Local Environmental Plan where a land owner wished to undertake an activity prohibited under the land use zone.

"If granted consent, the use is approved subject to conditions and subject to a time limit, after which the land owner would need to lodge a new development application," he said.

"Alternatively, the landowner can make an application to change the land use zoning to a zone where the development becomes permissible with consent."

The motion for review submitted by Mayor Whipper and Cr Clark also required that council maintain a policy to restrict the temporary use clause to an initial period of 12 months, which could be extended for a period of five years, conditional on the merits of the application, there being no E3 zone conflicts or issues from adjoining neighbours.

The motion was put to vote and passed with support from Councillors Juliet Arkwright, Duncan Gair, Graham McLaughlin and John Uliana.

Concerned with the ongoing effects of such a decision, Councillors Holly Campbell, Garry Turland and Ian Scandrett voted against the motion.

Cr Scandrett said he had since lodged a rescission motion in regard to last week's decision which would rescind Mayor Whipper's motion.

"I think it demonstrates a lack of faith in council's planning department and regime," he said. "These applications are well-considered by council staff before they even get to councillors and I for one think they do a fantastic job.

"The 12-month cap is a blanket cap that stymies any economic interest in the shire and ignores the very strict planning regime already in place."

Cr Scandrett said if the rescission motion was successful at the next meeting, he would move a motion for council to hold a workshop for councillors and the public to discuss E3 planning.

"We spend so much money promoting inbound tourism, it's very inconsistent in our approach toward hospitality and tourism to have a red pen out and be limiting these applications with a knee-jerk 12-month limitation."