Ms Hall said she had helped create a number of plans for the mansion since 1997 and Cr Chapman might have set back recent progress. 

“It’s possible that it might set the movement back and the negotiations,” she said. 

“This kind of move isn’t something that can achieve things. 

“Unfortunately this sort of action is seen as a sort of threat and it’s not usually successful with government decisions. We don’t feel it’s a productive move.” 

Ms Hall said people were already trying to secure talks with Premier Denis Napthine over a plan to save Fortuna. 

Group secretary Terry Davidson said he had spoken to Dr Napthine after putting a comment on his website Tuesday afternoon and said Dr Napthine had urged him to pass his concerns onto the City of Greater Bendigo.

Mr Davidson said he believed the best way forward for Fortuna Villa was to stop Friday’s auction. 

“If that didn’t go ahead, it would give a bit of breathing space to the latest plan,” he said. 

“It’s a good plan in that it offers some hope. 

“It’s a plan that offers a way of financing what could be a different sort of proposition.” 

The man behind the proposal, former mayor Daryl McClure, said selling the lavish property into private ownership was a significant risk. He said council had also stalled in contacting key government members. 

“It is going to prove too difficult a property for a private person to make any money out of, and you can’t imagine anyone buying it to live in,” Mr McClure said. 

“With the best will in the world, private owners at some stage will inevitably want to sell the property.

“The risk is maybe not what the initial buyer wants to do with it, but subsequent buyers.”

Mr Davidson agreed. 

“Fortuna has a more secure long-term future if it has a public owner,” he said. 

Mr Davidson said Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell had made enquiries with him over the matter.

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Related coverage

Editorial: Does public really want to save Fortuna?

Fortuna Villa sale to go ahead

Chapman ends Fortuna hunger strike

Former councillors see red