Our subsequent investigation of recent happenings in Bendigo only served to strengthen our high regard for the actions of the council and most of the citizens of the city. While the behaviour of a few people and a number of outsiders is alarming, we would wish to congratulate those who are working to ensure that justice, tolerance and open-mindedness remain characteristics of your community.

We are a community of Catholic religious sisters who live in Lakemba in NSW, where almost 60 per cent of the population is Muslim. We live around the corner from one of the largest mosques in Australia. We can speak in the highest terms of our experience as members of the Lakemba community.  

Our neighbours are consistently hospitable, friendly and helpful. We respect their commitment to their religion and the way that they preach peace and acceptance of others. If Bendigo has a culture similar to ours, then you are indeed fortunate.

The saddest discovery of the fight to save the Kangaroo Flat Leisure Centre is the revelation of complete arrogance shown by council officers and the inability of councillors to stand up for their constituents.

Initial plans for the aquatic centre showed it existing along with the leisure centre. When demolition of the Kangaroo Flat Community Leisure Centre was suddenly shown as part of the aquatic centre development, meetings sought with some of the ward councillors was met with rude indifference. 

The wishes of Kangaroo Flat residents, as evidenced in a survey where 82 per cent showed they did not want the centre demolished, have been brushed off as if meaningless. A petition carrying over 3000 signatures against the demolition exists.

Mr Liacos is quoted in Saturday’s Bendigo Advertiser as saying “the leisure centre … is unsightly and it isn’t used very often”. Yes, it is no longer used because council officers for several years have been telling over 28 different user groups that they would no longer be able to use the centre and had to find somewhere else as it was “to be demolished” and this was before the vote was taken. So, users have been turned away. Kangaroo Flat trading centre no longer has the benefit of the many people brought to the area by the activities at the centre.

When the Kangaroo Flat Community Leisure Centre Committee requested a public meeting concerning the proposed demolition (before the vote to demolish was taken), councillors agreed to this. However, the notice for the meeting placed by council officers made no reference to the leisure centre. The meeting was then conducted as if it were a meeting about the aquatic centre.

This strategy continues with statements made by Mr Liacos and quoted in Saturday’s Bendigo Advertiser that “their plan is overly simplistic. It’s not showing how the necessary number of car parks could fit”. In fact, the alternative plan for the placement of the aquatic centre shows an environmentally superior placement of the centre.

The committee has not received all the pages of information requested and certainly not the “hundreds of pages of information” quoted. Council officers recently refused to supply some items requested despite this having been agreed to by the council.

The committee has never been against the building of the aquatic centre; it merely wants the best outcome for the ratepayers and the retention of a $4 million building. The evidence exists to show this and we therefore ask that obfuscation and side-stepping cease. 

If the council wishes to make evidence-based decisions, it should consider all the evidence from wherever it comes.