Most people spoken to by the Bendigo Advertiser on Friday rate the chances of a local attack as slim.

Quarry Hill resident Bill Clyde said he felt no fear walking Bendigo’s streets.

“I believe in building bridges of our common humanity,” he said.

“I know it’s a very difficult time for Islamic people generally, let alone here in Bendigo.

“I can assure Islamic people are just like your average Anglican, Catholic or Uniting Church – they go about their business and have their own faith and I would say all Islamic people here in Bendigo would abhor the most recent terrorist plot.”

Student Bonnie Baird, 19, believed any threat of an attack was minimal.

“I think everyone is getting too tense for nothing, we’ll be alright,” she said.

Bendigo’s John Lingard said he hadn’t paid much attention to events of recent days, but Bendigo appeared removed from events elsewhere in Australia.

“It’s scary. I’m not sure if they are trying to make an excuse to go to war or what not … it certainly makes your ears stand up,” he said.

Jai Vrhowec, 30, said there were other more important issue to focus on in Bendigo than threats of terror.

He considered most locals accepting of people from all other cultures.

But Bendigo woman Zizette Asaid said in the present climate no city was immune from attack.

“Everywhere is a risk – you can’t guarantee where these people will act,” she said.