Mr Bull attended a fund-raiser for member for Murray Valley Tim McCurdy at Cobram on Monday where ratepayer Scott Olson handed over a hard copy of motions relating to the audit from recent community meetings in Yarrawonga and Nathalia.

Mr Olson said yesterday he was thankful the minister had listened to his concerns.

“I would have liked the attention sooner,” he said.

“But I am appreciative he has made the effort to come up.

“We have a probity audit still on the books that hasn’t been rescinded.

“It is only in abeyance.”

Mr Bull said he had already received the motions at his Melbourne office and revealed he had written to the council with some advice.

“For some reason, I am not sure why, he handed me a hard copy of what he had already provided me with a month ago,” Mr Bull said.

“He thanked me for the response he had already received.

“I’ve brought it to council’s attention and outlined our general protocols that we encourage councils to have open and transparent relations with their local communities.”

Mr Bull said his visit to the area, which included meetings with Moira, Alpine and Wangaratta councils, was one of his “trips” around the state.

But it has coincided with the surfacing of allegations against Mr McCurdy linked to the sale of two rural properties near Cobram and the emergence of former Wangaratta councillor Julian Fidge as an election rival.

Meanwhile, Mr Bull announced $120,000 in funding for the Bullawah Indigenous Culture Trail and Elders Rock project in Wangaratta.

The East Gippsland MP is also the Aboriginal Affairs Minister.

The trail is being developed along the existing Ovens River walking trail.

An honour roll — known as the Elders Rock — will recognise the contribution elders both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal have made in the community.

The project’s cost is $180,000.