Mr Oakeshott said the proposal was the first 3A application to fail since NSW planning laws were changed at the 2007 election.

"On Friday evening, I contacted Jason Berrigan, Brock Vanzino, and Alan Burrows from the RAPP (Residents Against Power Pollution) crew to tell them to save their time and money on getting to Sydney to meet with Minister Sartor on Tuesday. This was following four discussions on Friday with the minister’s office, the director-general of planning, the deputy director-general of planning, and the north coast office of planning.

"Each confirmed to me that they were aware of Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s decision of Thursday night to remove landowner consent. Each also confirmed that without landowner consent, the Part 3A application is invalid and will no longer be considered. In the words of the Ministers office, without landowner consent, it’s a dead duck!

"I expect the department of planning to make a public statement confirming this early this week.

"If my advice is also correct, this is the first Part 3A application that has failed since the 2007 election. This demonstrates tremendous people power over the past six weeks, and I thank everyone involved for participating and achieving this result. I also thank the Council Administrator for clarifying the council position, and for taking the leadership that has allowed for this result. Well done to everyone involved, democracy does actually work every now and again!

"And in regard some political sniping that has occurred over this issue, I will write an extensive letter to your editor for next weeks paper. This week, however, should be about this great news that no diesel fired power station will occur in the region, as well as reflecting on a community that took on government and won!

"I hope this activism stays alive for the broader issues of energy supply and demand that I and other public policy makers are grappling with.

"And I also hope people feel empowered by this process of the past six weeks. Taking half an hour to contact government on an issue can make a difference, like the need for more GP's in the Camden Haven. Your participation can and does make the difference, and we've just seen a great example of this".