The majority of councillors supported a push from Kiama Mayor Brian Petschler to wait until after a councillor briefing in December, when there would be more certainty surrounding the council’s purchase of the site, to prepare a more detailed business plan.

In October, councillors resolved to have the business plan produced, but on Tuesday night councillors were told documents including financial feasibility studies, architectural plans, a capital expenditure review and a Restart Illawarra application ‘‘together constitute the business plan’’.

Tensions were high as Kiama councillors voted 5-3 against Cr Reilly’s motion.

‘‘We asked in June for a project manager and this hasn’t happened,’’ Cr Reilly said.

‘‘The planning of this development is a project in itself.

‘‘I asked for a timeline, and when I was given one it was out of date and had no relevance.

‘‘I was then given a second timeline that looked like it had been knocked up in Excel the night before.’’

Cr Reilly said he didn’t think a group of reports ‘‘from a disparate group of consultants’’ could possibly form a proper business plan for a $58million development.

‘‘The project deserves more than a bunch of reports – as thorough as they are – to determine our goals and objectives and what we want for the community.’’

Cr Petschler said the council had a number of unresolved issues, including issues relating to the extent of asbestos contamination on the site and how the council would deal with it.

This could then affect architectural plans.

‘‘We also need approval from the Office of Local Government for the development to proceed,’’ Cr Petschler said.

‘‘We have called a briefing in the first week in December.

‘‘This is where we expect to have all of the questionable areas resolved so the council can chart a clear path forward to the December 16 council meeting where the council will decide if it proceeds with the purchase or not.

‘‘Once that is completed we will look to appoint a project manager.’’