Reading about the cost blow-out of the Hargreaves Mall project, which has caused the traders real hardship, I can now fully understand why there is no money left to clean the fountain.

Surely this poor dilapidated fountain, now at the stage where the paint is peeling off it, has some priority.

Not having heard of any plans or commitment in regards to the clean-up, I wonder when this will be done.

At ground floor reception at the Bendigo Advertiser office in Queen Street, there is a large photo of the fountain hanging on the wall, which shows me the Advertiser staff hold the fountain in high regard.

Perhaps one of the councillors should take the time to go in and have a look at this photo, as it is a totally different and much better looking fountain, than the present one at Charing Cross.

I don’t expect the fountain to be cleaned up straight away as works are allocated and take time, but just knowing that it will be revamped down the track would be satisfaction.

I could just sit back and think about this issue, but feel strongly enough to speak out in the hope something will be done in the near future to bring the fountain back to its former glory.

If anyone else in Bendigo has noticed the sad state of the fountain, I would like to hear what they think.

MARGARET SURTEES,

Golden Square