During his five minutes at the podium Mr Cameron not only delivered some unfortunate figures to council, he also alleged one councillor owed an association member an apology because of his belligerence toward her.

Mr Cameron informed the meeting that the association’s petition had now been signed by about 1700 people who, he added, were not coerced into signing it nor unaware of what they were signing.

He went on to say that he thought council’s media department suffered from multiple disarrangement of the facts. 

“You have been telling the people that everybody has been well informed about this scheme and that everybody is in favour of it,” Mr Cameron said.

“CIRA conducted a face-to-face survey of 108 business people in Otho and Byron streets.”

He said the business people had provided their names and signed the survey forms after being asked two questions; if the TCRP had ever been explained to them by any member council and whether or not they were in favour of the plan. Mr Cameron said 90 per cent of those surveyed said the plan had not been explained to them by council.

He said a majority were against the plan.

“Sixty four per cent said no (to the plan), 15 per cent said yes and 21 per cent were undecided because they said they didn’t have enough information,” Mr Cameron said.

“During the conduct of this survey, the young lady who did it was approached on the footpath by a member of this council in a most aggressive and confrontational manner; to the extent that other people on the footpath stopped and wondered what was going on.

“I was surprised and I think it was a discredit to this council that a member would do such a thing. I would call upon the mayor at another time to seek to have an apology issued for such disgraceful conduct.”

Mr Cameron said the businesses around the CBD were not in favour of the plan.

Cr Harmon said the allegation of bad conduct would be investigated.