Mayor Margaret O’Rourke said such a group would be another mechanism for the community to have input into council’s decision-making.

“Council already consults widely and regularly with the community and has a broad range of methods for people have their say, so it is unlikely a new association would change the way the city operates,” she said.

The council has yet to be formally approached about the formation of the group.

But Cr O’Rourke said it was likely it would meet with a new ratepayers committee, if the committee requested a meeting.

EARLIER: BENDIGO ratepayers have expressed interest in forming a committee to hold the city council to account.

Ratepayers Victoria vice-president Frank Sullivan said about a dozen people attended a meeting at the Quarry Hill Community Hall on Thursday evening.

He expected the attendees would meet again shortly to form a committee and establish position bearers.

“It’s in their court now to form that committee,” Mr Sullivan said.

“We’ll be here in Melbourne to give them advice and to assist in any way we can.”

Thursday’s meeting was arranged by the statewide association to gauge interest in forming a ratepayers committee in Bendigo.

The regional city was one of several in which Ratepayers Victoria hoped to open new branches, including Shepparton, Wangaratta and Bairnsdale. 

Speaking to the Bendigo Advertiser last month, Mr Sullivan said a Bendigo sub-branch would to give the ratepayers of Bendigo help and guidance about any issues that might arise with their council.

“It is accepted that where there is a ratepayer group that council seems to operate more smoothly,” he said.

Of the 113 people who responded to a poll on the Bendigo Advertiser website, 78 per cent believed the city was in need of a ratepayers association.