Spokesperson for the group Ross Haldane made a presentation to the council on Monday night addressing the problems Centrex Metals would have adhering to the planning condition for no visible dust, the lack of baseline data for dust and the need for an inquiry into the approval process of Centrex's development application.

Mr Starke followed with his own presentation disputing Mr Haldane's claim that the group supported the majority of the community.

He said of the 26,456 people in council areas affected by Centrex Metals' iron ore exports, the group ignored those outside the Port Lincoln City Council area.

Of the 14,700 Port Lincoln residents Mr Starke estimated about half did not care whether iron ore was exported from Port Lincoln or not and about half of the 7350 people left would probably be opposed to exports.

Of those 3675 people only about 50 people turned up to a recent Community Action Group meeting to consider options following the approval of Centrex's development application.

Mr Starke said this was a more accurate reflection of the level of support for the group.

He said the group needed to "get out into the real world".

"The battle is done; let's get on with it and get the best possible outcome for Port Lincoln."

Two other councillors - Danny Bartlett and Jim Papazoglov - later echoed Mr Starke's sentiments about moving forward and getting the best out of the decision.