A mystery consortium purchased the property and spokesman Matt Pfahlert wrote to Indigo Council to request the advisory body be dissolved.

Cr Emmerick Teissl backed up the request at Tuesday’s council meeting, saying the private owners should be able to take on “one of Australia’s most iconic properties” as they see fit.

The motion was passed five votes to two, after Cr Bernard Gaffney and Cr Barbara Murdoch voted against it.

The timing meant future discussions would be with a new set of councillors elected in October.

“This is a fantastic example of local people taking a chance and investing in their community and should be applauded, not hindered,” Cr Teissl said.

Cr Gaffney and Cr Jenny O’Connor were both on the advisory committee.

But Cr O’Connor will resign after a conversation with Mr Pfahlert, who she said the council could not force to speak with the committee.

She said Cr Gaffney was being “mischievous” by claiming community angst against Mr Pfahlert, whom she described as a “highly regarded young entrepreneur”.

Cr Gaffney maintained his concern that the community did not know the plan of a group which spent up to $2 million on the gaol.

“We don’t know who has purchased the gaol, we don’t know what they’re going to do with it,” he said.

“Council goes into caretaker mode in three weeks, it seems odd we would act now.”