Mr Coleman is very passionate about Bendigo’s economy, as is council, and this is commendable. He would, perhaps better than most, know that Bendigo’s economy does not operate in isolation to what’s happening in the rest of Australia and elsewhere. In recent years there has been a slowing of the national and international economies and this, of course, impacts on what happens here.

Mr Coleman would also understand the vital link between confidence and economic prosperity so it is disappointing he claims Bendigo’s unemployment rate is 11.6 per cent when the actual figure is closer to 7 per cent (latest Department of Employment and Workplace Relations Small Area Market data).

It is also worth noting that gross regional product data shows Bendigo regularly outperforming other regional cities, including Ballarat, Geelong, Wodonga and Shepparton. This week’s announcement that the federal government will purchase over 1000 Hawkei vehicles worth $1.3 billion highlights the strength of our manufacturing sector, and should be celebrated.

The City of Greater Bendigo works tirelessly to develop a prosperous local economy that generates jobs for our growing community. We do this in many ways. Our planners assist developers, we attract tourism dollars to our region, we build and maintain infrastructure and our beautiful parks and gardens and wonderful sporting facilities make us an attractive place to live and work, which in turn brings investment dollars here.

The Economic Development Unit works to strengthen the city’s business capabilities through engagement, investment and industry development projects.

As an organisation, we are absolutely committed to working with the community, local businesses and other levels of government to ensure Bendigo’s economy is in a good position to create jobs and weather, where possible, national and international declines in economic activity.

Except for Coliban Water commitments, every bit of rural water released from Lake Eppallock to supply entitlements and water shares flows down the Campaspe River. Almost every day there are releases to meet river passing flows as well as the Campaspe syphon to Echuca flow requirements.

All this water flows down the Campaspe River. Guess what? None of these releases are taken into account or offset in the aggregate new environmental flow requirements. Almost every day, during the irrigation season, there are releases to supply irrigators’ entitlements throughout northern Victoria. All this water flows down the Campaspe River and guess what? None of this water counts towards new environmental flow needs.

Every year, except during droughts and El Nino events, about 17,000 megalitres of water flows down into the Campaspe River below Axedale. Guess what? None of this water counts towards environmental flows. As if this were not enough, there is approximately an additional annual 36,000 megalitres set aside solely for environmental flows, which is held by the commonwealth and state government water holders. These authorities then on-sell the water on the water market to make profits.

Pity the poor businesses and tourism operators who rely on water being in Lake Eppalock for their survival. Pity the poor people in the Campaspe catchment whose interests are expendable.

The greed, ignorance and priorities of the government, Greens, environmentalists and some local council candidates astound me.