The Eurobodalla Shire Council has approved the budget and will soon announce the successful tender for the Batemans Bay aquatic and arts centre at Mackay Park.
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Voting to proceed on Tuesday were Mayor Liz Innes and councillors Lindsay Brown, Rob Pollock, Maureen Nathan, James Thomson and Jack Tait. Those against were Pat McGinlay, Anthony Mayne and Phil Constable.
The budget was approved in a closed session and figures have not been disclosed under a commercial-in-confidence agreement.
Mayor Innes said the successful tenderer would be made aware of Tuesday's decision and "as soon as practical" the budget would be made public.
Cr McGinlay strongly advocated for budget figures to be released.
He later told Australian Community Media the total budget and gap monies were "too big".
"The final numbers were just too high for this shire's residents and ratepayers to be asked to pay for, to both build and then maintain," he said.
Funds came from the infrastructure renewal fund, real estate disposal fund, development contributions and crown reserves. The sales of Southern Phone and Moruya Racecourse contributed.
"I had serious concerns about ongoing costs to the community due to substantial ongoing depreciation costs based on the total value of the build, as well as projected operational losses for a number of years," Cr McGinlay said.
Cr McGinlay said the final development plans were "too compromised".
"The final build plan seems to me to be too compromised in order to try to cut costs, to adequately meet the requirements of many in the community," he said.
"It is quite a different package and balance of sizes of components to that originally envisaged."
Cr Lindsay Brown said the new pool was essential and he had reviewed the "business case thoroughly".
"I have always taken financial decisions and their implications with great seriousness and responsibility," he said.
"Including whilst as mayor, ensuring the council met the criteria to be a stand alone council and be in a position to make such local decisions as the one we are currently discussing."
"I believe I have met with staff and consultants more than any other councillor, and in particular reviewed the business case thoroughly."
Cr Brown also felt his business experience owning and managing a Narooma indoor fitness facility has been beneficial: "This experience, coupled with my own detailed investigations has made me comfortable with the business case for the aquatic facility."
He said the management of the arts component of the development was more difficult to research.
"After exhaustively speaking to independent consultants in the arts space from across the country, theatre directors, producers, promoters ... I support the arts facility due to the low council funding and opportunities to develop on the strong local arts community which will improve the social capital of the region," Cr Brown said.
Every four years the community decides whom to represent and act on their behalf.
Cr Brown reassured his decision at Tuesday's meeting was "based on merit".
"My decision was made in the best interests and betterment of the Eurobodalla community and I will continue to do same regardless of issue, location and beneficiary," he said.
