The matter was raised during the first council meeting under administrator, Dick Persson last Wednesday night.

Mr Persson, who described the matter as an ‘urgent issue’, said he was keen to understand the impact of the Glasshouse’s finances on council’s overall budget.

The administrator said he wanted to engage an independent accounting firm to provide a financial analysis of the project’s operational budget.

“That firm would have expertise in this field … they would have no agenda and no history but will be able to tell us about the (finances) of the project and that document will be made public.

“I have also invited Alan Griffin to participate in this role,” Mr Persson said.

“Alan has a long history in local government circles as an engineer and as chair of the Jenolan Caves Reserve Trust. He is also a former CEO of the state government’s contract control board and he is here to review the project management practices applied to The Glasshouse.

“He will be here in the short term to ascertain the current project … he will work with the directors of council and then report to me.”

In front of a packed and overflowing public gallery, the administrator gave a glimpse of our future council with a business-like meeting that lasted just 63 minutes.

Former Mayor, Rob Drew and councillors, Daphne Johnston, Lisa Intemann, David Mayne, Cameron Price, Jamie Harrison and Adam Prussing along with a former mayor, Reverend John Barrett and retired politician John Tingle were also in the gallery.

There was a ripple of applause when Mr Persson walked into the meeting room and he took the opportunity to greet members of the gallery personally.

Throughout the meeting Mr Persson continually reminded the public forum speakers and members of the gallery to show restraint when talking about the former council and current council staff.

At one point he said: “I appeal to everyone in the gallery to park the past behind them and to move forward.