The water authorities have stated that most of the rain fell below the catchments and will not contribute much to inflows.

They always have as many excuses as to why we have a little amount of water and yet on the other hand have plenty of excuses why they increase our water charges and fees at an exorbitant rate.

The Bendigo Creek has also continued to attract its fair share of negative comment and it is, and has been for a long time, a long-running saga.

We also have asked for and been promised a major clean-up, which was to start in June 2009 - as per usual nearly a year later we are still waiting.

Many areas around recent new work by our council and its contractors showed just how poor a standard of work the city was receiving.

New roundabout and bus stops inundated with water and a new footpath you could not walk on as it was more like a concrete catchment; we can surely be left wondering at the ability of our council officers to plan and oversee even small projects.

In a recent article, Ben Con defended itself and the way in which they operate and the tendering process.

I believe that in the past I read an article from a well-known firm that had quoted tens of thousands less for work at Epsom Market Place and yet did not receive the job.

I would suggest that whoever is responsible for the east entrance to the Epsom complex, fix the lake that a heavy rain creates and spills out onto the road and creates a serious hazard to drivers - shabby work to say the least.

Maintenance work on our wards’ drains, footpaths, streetscapes and roads is almost non-existent.

It is time for the council to stop wasting our money on projects that we do not want or need, and give back to those who really support our great city - and that is those in the wards.

STUART SYMES,

Bendigo Action Group