Councillors approved the sale of the Highlands Paceway site on Perc Griffith Way for $2.45 million on Tuesday, with the proceeds to go to the land development reserve.

The purchaser remains confidential.

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The item was one of two closed reports contested by councillors who felt they should be discussed openly.

Councillor Neil Jones said there was nothing in the report to justify keeping it confidential.

“The community knows what’s happening with that site and we should be transparent about what money we are receiving,” he said.

However, acting general manager Chris Devitt said there were still aspects yet to be negotiated and the price would be made public in the resolution.

Cr Jones withdrew the motion.

The other was an item on the Robertson Park toilets.

The beleaguered project was last considered in December when tenders to add toilets to the CWA Hall failed to meet the budget.

The cost was estimated at $228,000.

Tuesday night’s item was designed to consider a compromise, which included a costing from a prospective contractor.

But councillor Jeff Whitton said a decision on the project’s future should be public.

“I get we’re talking about figures, but there’s no tender information in there other than what the cost of the recommended changes will be,” he said.

“This is more than just a toilet, we’re doing more with this project than building a toilet – we’re going to be renovating a building we don’t even own.”

Mr Devitt said the concern was publication of a price could damage the competitiveness of any future tender process.

“This would almost exclude [that contractor] from the tender process,” he said.

Councillors resolved to defer the item to a future meeting so the item could be considered publicly with the sensitive information removed.

However, the project could face more discussion, with councillor Glenn Taylor signalling his intention to re-propose a separate toilet facility.

“Many years ago when I was a much younger man when I first moved this proposal, I had a concept for a standalone facility at a modest cost and we’re getting way out of hand,” he said.