Epsom ward councillor Lisa Ruffell said the issue was raised during discussion of the gardens master plan at a local ward forum in White Hills on Monday night.

Attendance at the forum was lower than at previous meetings, but Cr Ruffell said the heat kept a larger crowd away.

“We still had 30 to 35 people who asked lots of questions; it was a very good and positive meeting,” she said.

The draft master plan is open for public comment until November 27 and Cr Ruffell said it was interesting to hear from a group of residents who wanted to keep the animal enclosures.

The draft master plan recommends that the animal enclosures be phased out because of changing attitudes to keeping animals in captivity.

“So far the community doesn’t want to keep the animals, but it is a draft master plan so it is good to hear all voices,” she said.

“This is the public’s gardens, this is the information we are gathering so we can make our final plan and then seek funding to get the project under way.”

Cr Ruffell said the council was encouraging the public to get involved in the process.

“We need input from the community,” she said.

The plan is available online, at the city offices and the Bendigo Library. Comments can be made by phone or online.