The outstanding balance of the $5 million sale price of the land at Comberton Grange will be paid to Shoalhaven City Council within three months.

Shaolin Foundation representatives Patrick Pang and Phil Balding met Shoalhaven Mayor Joanna Gash on Monday to offer their assurances the project would get under way as soon as possible.

An upbeat Cr Gash said she was “delighted with the positivity of the meeting”.

“Myself and deputy mayor John Wells hope to visit China – at our own expense – to meet the Abbot in coming weeks,” Cr Gash said.

She said it became evident during the meeting that the Chinese people had been hurt by recent disparaging comments by Palmer United Party boss Clive Palmer and that she and Cr Wells wanted to make it clear Mr Palmer’s views were not representative of those in the Shoalhaven.

Mr Pang said it was pleasing to have definite approval after 10 years of effort to get the temple and tourism development under way.

“I think we have enough to work on at this point with our architects and urban planners. We will then probably make some modifications to make it economically more viable and sustainable,” Mr Pang said.

He said the decision to strike out the 300 residential homes would have an impact on the complex’s ability to host large events but it would not jeopardise the project.

“Obviously that isn’t the case because we have a reputation to protect and Shaolin temple is not a property developer,” he said.

Mr Pang said he would like to settle the purchase of the land as soon as possible

“I told [Shoalhaven City Council] within three months…and if possible ASAP because it is ridiculous that we are concerned about this $5 million because if we can’t afford it we wouldn’t have even started it. For us to worry about the $5 million, I think it is a joke.”

Mr Pang said he would like work to begin as soon as possible.

“If we have the approval and the cooperation of all various government agencies, it will start straight away. We have no time to wait. I’m already 62 years old,” he said.