The council will seek a further report on the proposal, which has been touted as a joint community project between the council, Minnamurra Lions Club and the state government.

At the June council meeting, Cr Neil Reilly submitted a notice of motion, asking the council to remove the platform from the 2015-16 budget.

Cr Mark Way, a proponent of the idea, had appealed for the $17,000 platform to remain within council’s works budget.

The proposal was raised last year,  council later resolving to consider further funding  in the 2015-16 budget.

Cr Way said the project was discussed with the Lions Club, which wanted to build the platform, along with Kiama MP Gareth Ward, who gave the council a $10,000 grant.

Cr Way said the proposal would be a boost for businesses and tourism, especially during winter.

‘‘As Minnamurra Lions Club have agreed to complete most of the construction work onsite, no further costs would be incurred for labour,’’ Cr Way said.

He said the location,  at the cul-de-sac at Eureka Street in Kiama Downs, was in a prominent position, with unaffected views of the ocean and whales.

‘‘Great access with excellent viewing 180 degrees from Bass Point to Bombo Headland,’’ he said.

‘‘The whales come across that area when they migrate north and south, often just ‘hang out’, breaching and so forth in this location.’’

Cr Reilly said ‘‘the whole matter was very, very strange to me’’, as it had not been debated properly by the council.

‘‘We have no documentation on this $10,000; I don’t know how we got the cheque,’’ he said.

‘‘Cr Way has taken it on himself, on behalf of council ... On behalf of us he’s gone to the member [Mr Ward] without speaking to us.

‘‘It seems to me that process and governance has just been thrown out the window, and with it, money of ours.’’

Kiama Mayor Brian Petschler used his casting vote to successfully move Cr

 Reilly’s motion.

A future report on the project will be provided to council.

Kiama Independent