Cr Provan (pictured) issued a press release on Monday attacking the state government's planned closure of the centre.

In it the mayor said the closure was a waste of taxpayer money and rubbished the government's claims the closure was part of a decentralisation plan when a significant number of staff would be sent to work in Mosman close to the city.

Cr Provan said the government's plans to build a new lab at Port Stephens would cost taxpayers well over a million dollars, on top of $5 million needed to transfer 22 fisheries staff to the Sydney Institute of Marine Science facility in Mosman. She also said the relocation would result in ongoing annual costs of $440,000 for rent associated with the new Mosman staff.

But in a sharply worded response State Primary Industries Minister Katrina Hodgkinson rejected the "inaccurate" claims, saying there were no plans for a $5 million outlay, and that more than 80 per cent of the positions at Cronulla fisheries would end up in regional locations.

Despite ongoing rumours many Cronulla fisheries staff have refused transfers, Ms Hodgkinson said the process for shutting down the centre was "on track and proceeding well".

Shadow Minister for Primary Industries Steve Whan disagreed.

"From the outset, this decentralisation has been a farce. There was no consultation and the Minister has refused to meet with workers at the Cronulla site. Comments from the Minister that the Cronulla site is limited and has no room for growth are simply incorrect. The site is ideal - facilities were upgraded not long ago."

What do you think of the government's decision?