However, Kiama MP Gareth Ward has warned against ‘‘throwing the baby out with the bath water’’ in regards to the Rural Fire Service’s new policy as the weather warms and dry conditions make for a potentially hazardous bushfire season.

‘‘Clearly the policy is being used in some ways that it was not designed for but we are doing a statutory review to ensure the bolts are tightened,’’ Mr Ward said.

In its submission to the 10/50 Vegetation Clearing Regulation Review, Kiama council said the policy had resulted in a number of ‘‘unintended consequences’’, including tree removal in urban and coastal areas in the municipality that ‘‘on any objective assessment should have a low bushfire risk rating’’.

The council wants the 10/50 clearing entitlement suspended during the review process to allow for ‘‘clear inconsistencies and potential conflicts’’ to be considered and dealt with by the review.

‘‘There is practically no protection for threatened species and endangered ecological communities under the 10/50 Regulation,’’ Kiama council’s acting general manager Bryan Whittaker wrote in the submission.

The way the regulation entitlement is being used is creating conflict between parties and council is being expected to deal with the dispute, Mr Whittaker said.