We only have to look at how many lives were lost at the Ravenswood intersection over many years before the department responsible was finally forced to rectify the original mistake.

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It's no good blaming one department for this mess - the education department has a lot to answer for as well as the local member.

I can't believe these people could be so stupid and blind that they failed to see redeveloping a school on a major traffic thoroughfare - metres from a dangerous intersection - was an accident waiting to happen.

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The development of the Epsom school, which has already proved to be inadequate, should have not gone ahead until traffic issues had been addressed.

If enlarging and improving the school was such a priority, it should have been put on a greenfield site that would have allowed a historic building to be preserved.

This is a classic case of the 'left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing', or in this case one department and the local member failing to co-ordinate with another department before proceeding.

As a child, my brothers and I spent much time playing in and around the fernery in Rosalind Park. For many years we have had birthday parties and picnics. People had their weddings in the park and photos in the fernery. Then the drought came. The grass died and the trees began to suffer. The Bendigo council did all they could to keep the trees alive.

Then came the flying foxes/fruit bats. At first they were an interesting curiosity, then their numbers swelled until last year when half the park had bats inhabiting the trees. The trees began to suffer, the park began to be an unpleasant place to visit. You wouldn't picnic there as it became unhealthy and the area and nearby streets began to stink.

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Warning signs were placed on entrances to warn people not to touch the bats as they should seek immediate medical attention if bitten or scratched, and to beware of the bat faeces. The council and DELWP plan on spending money to make the area friendlier for the bats. I feel this jewel in the centre of Bendigo should be preserved for the enjoyment of the people of Bendigo.

Here we go again. In 2016, council spent over $100,000 to ask a citizens' jury "What should council spend our money on to shape the community's future?" Little came out of it. Now council is looking for 50 residents for a community panel to "Imagine a Greater Bendigo 30 years from now."

Councillors may be able to listen to issues raised by a citizens' jury or panel but they have not committed themselves to doing anything about it. If one has concerns about council and its progress or commitment, then write a letter and complain or put forward an idea, rather than allow a panel of 50 to decide what is in your best interests.

Council's past form shows talk means it is only interested in hearing - not acting - for ratepayers.

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