"I am frustrated, disappointed and disgusted by the decision to go on with the proposed selling of the Oxley Museum building," Cr Alison Conn said outside the Wellington Council Chambers.
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Her comments followed a decision made after a vote of 5-4 indicated the council would more than likely sell the site.
However this wouldn't happen until a full strategic plan was in place for the future of the museum which the councillors were at pains to say the council didn't own.
Cr Rod Buhr said he was disappointed with the commentary in the community.
"We are not packing it off. We are not selling it to the Powerhouse Museum.
"We are selling assets that are pivotal for this council going forward to be fit for the future," he said indicating the maintenance bill to 'do up' the museum could amount to up $900,000 which includes the lack of fire access, disability access, lifts.
He urged councillors to consider the issue.
"This is about the survival of this council," Cr Buhr said.
Cr Graham Cross supporting the principle of the sale said he was part of a working party which was putting together a strategic plan to ensure the future of the Oxley Museum albeit in a different location.
He moved a motion to hold any sale until there was an assurance the right measures were in place for new location and business plan to assist the museum.
He praised the management of the museum and said it had won many plaudits from many of the state's best recognised authorities.
"But there are limitations with the ailing, current museum," he said adding that the costs were prohibitive."
Cr Jones moved to have the museum site moved from the list of five buildings the council was looking to have valued and then more than likely put on the market.
Her motion was defeated 5-4 with Cr Marcus Hanney saying that while he was a big fan of the museum, council couldn't justify the cost of refurbishment at the moment.
"It's old fashioned and we need a more modern and interactive museum at a different location," he said.
Social media was awash with criticism of the sale but Wellington mayor Cr Rod Buhr said he was excited about what the museum could be in the future.
"Only 400 people visited the museum in 2014," he said.
"We can help the Historical Society turn this into a modern day tourism attraction, a win, win for the community."
