Following its June meeting, Kiama council will seek a further report on the proposal.

At the meeting, councillor Neil Reilly submitted a Notice of Motion that council remove the Minnamurra Headland whale watching platform from the 2015/16 budget.

Fellow councillor Mark Way, a proponent of the idea, had appealed for the platform to remain within council’s works budget.

The platform is proposed as a joint community project between council, Minnamurra Lions Club and the state government.

It has an approximate total cost of $17,000.

It would be located at the cul-de-sac at Eureka Street, Kiama Downs, above the helipad/reserve.

This proposal was raised last year, with the council later resolving to consider funding the remainder of the project in the 2015/16 budget.

Cr Way said the project was discussed with Minnamurra Lions Club, who want to build the platform, and subsequently an approach to Kiama MP Gareth Ward for funding resulted in a grant of $10,000.

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.

Cr Way said the location of the proposed platform is in a prominent position, with unaffected views of the ocean and whales.

‘‘The platform would also be used in summer as a general viewing platform, potentially providing usage year round,’’ he said.

‘‘The location provides great access with excellent viewing 180 degrees from Bass Point to Bombo Headland.

‘‘The platform is also located adjacent to the walking track/cycleway (at the) northern entrance to Kiama.

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

‘‘A secondary side benefit for the project is to protect whale watchers, as the cliff edges are grassy and unclear.’’

Cr Reilly said ‘‘this whole matter is 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 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.

‘‘If we have to put our money into it, I think it should be debated by the council.’’

Kiama Mayor Brian Petschler used his casting vote to successfully move Cr Reilly’s motion, although a future report on the project will be provided to council.