In the public council meeting Cr Peter Nelson said "every time we refuse an application it costs money when we go to the Local Land and Environment Court."

The legal report updated councillors on the current status and costs paid during June 2019 for legal proceedings in the Land and Environment Court, including matters completed since the last report.

The report included proceedings where legal and/or consultancy costs were incurred from the 2018 to 2019 finacial year.

Some councillors defended the legal costs.

Cr Ken Halstead said 75 per cent of cases at the Local Land and Environment Court were lost by the defending council.

"The shire is under attack and has been for over a decade," he said.

The council spent a total of $1,861,950 in legal and consultancy costs in the last financial year.

Cr Ian Scandrett said the expenditure was a necessary part of the council's budget.

"Sometimes it's quite a good investment," he said.

In the meeting Cr Larry Whipper said the councillors voted for the community's interest.

"Sometimes we have to spend money and sometimes we lose," Cr Whipper said.

For the month of June 2019 the council incurred $61,368 in legal and $50,060 in consulant fees.

Cr Mclaughlin said Wingecarribee Shire Council had to stand up for the community and "look at what's at stake".

"We really have to stand up for our principles," he said.

According to the report the council recovered $241,305 of the fees.

Cr Markward said the legal costs represented "our line in the sand".

The highest expenditure was $270,230 for a proposed Woolworths on the corner of Argyle Street and Lackey Road in Moss Vale.

Councillors voted to continue discussion of the report in closed council.

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