The Mercury requested a copy of the mall progress report tabled at a city centre steering committee meeting on December 1, and was provided with a copy that blacked out all financial information.

According to the council’s right to information officer Heather Kennedy, providing this information could ‘‘place council at a commercial disadvantage during [negotiations with contractors]’’.

The report said the approved project budget remained at $19.4 million, but referred to a series of cost risks.

It said the current budget estimate ‘‘significantly underestimated final scope of works, excluded replacement [of] Sydney Water mains, scope changes and restrictive works window effecting [sic] end cost’’.

In August, the Mercury reported the $19.4 million budget had blown out by $2.86 million, due to unplanned works on telecommunications and water services.

On Thursday, a council spokesman did not provide a revised figure for the total cost, saying ‘‘we are still negotiating with the contractor Lahey Constructions on final claims and variations’’.

The December project report also lists 19 different complaints from businesses, retailers and the community which were received between September 11 and October 21.

These included damage to a retailer’s tiles, water damage to stock as a result of leaking doors, trip hazards outside shops and excessive rubbish due to a lack of bins.

There was also reported damage to signage, a cracked window out the front of a shop, ‘‘concrete splatter’’ on a shopfront and a pedestrian who reported that a temporary fence had ripped his shirt.

Ms Kennedy said she had been advised the council would finalise the contract and present a final report on the mall early next year.