Those familiar names begin to appear in the letters column, complaining again. The difference? We now have a new council, fresh faces, new enthusiasm and they are shaping up as a cohesive, smart team. Bendigo should be so lucky.

The latest letter attacks centre around salaries and costs.

Any board today which handles large amounts of money, whether public or private, pays its board members for their time and commitment. That is the reality today. “If you pay peanuts you’ll get monkeys” so the saying goes, and it speaks volumes.

Greater Bendigo councillors have every right to expect payment for their time and effort, the reading they must do before every meeting, time put aside to listen to their constituents and the important decisions they are expected to make. Councillors make decisions every week which impact on hundreds of people in various ways throughout each year.

At first glance, it would appear that Cr George Flack has made a generous gesture in insisting on taking a 10 per cent drop to his $30,000 salary as a City of Greater Bendigo councillor. While I can admire Cr Flack for standing up for his principles, I cannot agree with his decision.

In electing to reduce his salary, Cr Flack has perhaps lost sight of reality. Reducing a councillors’ salary will inhibit the opportunities of future councillors who may aspire to this role, but would find the salary insufficient. As it stands the present salary is only meant to support the councillor in a part-time capacity. The $30,000 salary was never planned to replace a normal salary, but rather to supplement the cost of carrying out the duties of a councillor.

I don’t argue with the importance of councillors keeping their daytime jobs. Nor do I see it as necessary for them to devote their time 24/7 to their role as a councillor. It is a part-time role only.

Cr Flack, communities are always going through “tough economic times”. That is the nature of government whether federal, state or local. We never stop hearing about the “tough economic times” we are suffering, but those times have been here for as long as I can recall. Every government I know uses that term to justify yet another cut to government spending and to the services a federal, state or local government must provide.

To perform the duties of a councillor is demanding and, I’m sure at times, onerous. Ratepayers believe in numerous causes they consider require the ear of their particular councillor. Councillors have never received much praise for the hours they put into when following through those phone calls and responding to the needs and complaints of their constituents.

This council has begun with such a positive approach to their responsibilities, praising the Bendigo community and applauding the strong, diverse and innovative local economy. Our mayor Margaret O’Rourke and Cr James Williams (paying his own way)  are about to visit China on behalf of the Bendigo community, taking with them a delegation of central Victorian leaders  hoping to secure trade opportunities and build greater cultural understanding. Together they will present the face of Bendigo to business and government leaders in China.

I believe we should support the majority decision to maintain their present salaries.

ANNIE YOUNG