The argument over the re-naming of planned Flinders Station to Shell Cove turned "fowl" on the floor of NSW Parliament last week as tension between Labor and Liberal politicians in the Shellharbour continues to rise.
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During a heated debate among the Illawarra MPs, which had the re-naming of the station at heart, Shellharbour MP Anna Watson described Kiama MP Gareth Ward as "all over the place like a free-range chicken that is pecking at everything" a reference to Mr Ward's involvement in federal, state and local council issues.
Mr Ward replied to Ms Watson: "At least ... I am not running around like a chicken with its head chopped off."
The debate last week was another example of the increase in hostilities between Labor and Liberal politicians in the Shellharbour area in recent times at both state and council level.
In recent months mayoral minutes, press releases and council and parliamentary debates have mirrored each other in opinions - sometimes word for word.
Issues that have become pressure points, with Labor and Liberal falling on opposite sides, include the renaming of the Flinders station, the debate over the $10,000 allocation to the Shellharbour Sports Assistance Fund, the recent nurses' rally at Shellharbour hospital to reduce nurse-to-patient ratios and the proposed Shellharbour City Hub.
Mr Ward may have given some indication why there had been an increase in hostilities when addressing parliament last week.
"The member for Shellharbour is making a political attack on Kellie Marsh because she is worried she will roll her in her electorate at the next election," Mr Ward told NSW Parliament.
When Cr Marsh was asked if she held an ambition to challenge Ms Watson at the 2015 State election Cr Marsh replied, "We'll just wait and see what happens."
"There has been paranoia in the Labor ranks ... and rumours are flying thick and fast," Cr Marsh said.
"My ambition is to serve the people of this city ... what that holds in the future I don't know."
Shellharbour Mayor Marianne Saliba said debate may have increased but the history of voting showed "people generally vote using their conscience much more than they do on party lines - they vote on what they believe to be right or wrong."
