After considerable discussion at its meeting last week, they agreed unanimously the council should not proceed with a Deed of Gift.

Councillors rejected the proposal “as the Australian Museum’s intentions for the future of the collection are unclear”.

At last week’s meeting, councillors expressed concern regarding two particular points in the proposal.

One of the points made reference to other suitable storage locations for the “national treasure”.

Councillors also expressed concern regarding a statement saying the Australian Museum could suspend or terminate the permanent loan arrangement where the collection was treated in a way to endanger its condition, security or integrity, or where the council was suspended, amalgamated or otherwise ceased to exist.

“Council may wish to seek clarification on each of these points, and in particular, request an explanation of what is meant by other suitable storage locations in the region as well as definition of treatment that endangers the… collection to ensure there is a strict set of guidelines to which each party must comply,” general manager Stephen Harding said in a report.

The proposed Deed of Gift came about following a meeting with the then-deputy premier and Cabonne representatives in 2015.

Following several years of negotiations, the Australian Museum had referred the deed documents to the Crown Solicitor for advice.

It was this advice, which prompted Cabonne to withdraw from the deal.

The Crown Solicitor, Mr Harding reported, recommended the two parties “sign a simplified Deed of Gift donating the collection to the Australian Museum Trust and the Australian Museum then provides the collection under a standard permanent loan agreement”.

The benefit to Cabonne from the deed would have been the ability to register and digitise the fossil slabs.

The council did accept a tender from Renascent Regional Pty Ltd to build a storage facility at the museum for $465,314.