After copping criticism for, among other things, what was perceived as a lack of consultation over plans for Hunchback Hill, the council is looking to improves its communication with residents with the website makewodongayours.com.au.

Responses will be considered as part of the council’s preparation for its 2017-18 budget.

Mayor Anna Speedie is right when she says it is difficult to counter cynicism from everyone in the community but the council should be taken on face value for its latest venture.

“You learn when you go out and talk to your community each time, so each time I think we improve in terms of how we talk to our community,” Cr Speedie said.

So imagine citizen of the year Marie Elliot’s surprise when parts of her Australia Day speech were deleted or rewritten.

It is difficult to comprehend a reference to the success of a museum in little old Chiltern being so offensive to a city the size of Wodonga.

Mrs Elliot points out that she has written a book and didn’t need any help with the speech but Cr Speedie says the top citizen admitted she wasn’t a “wordsmith” and had sought assistance.

The truth may well lay somewhere in between but what’s beyond doubt is the speech was altered and moves such as that do little to dispel the “fear or misconception” Cr Speedie speaks of.

Kevin Mack’s refusal to rule out a challenge to Greg Aplin for the seat of Albury will be welcomed by many on the NSW side of the border.

The Albury mayor took aim at Mr Aplin when he said “"I'm really concerned we don't get good representation” in NSW parliament following a delay in the completion of the Riverina Highway upgrade.

Mr Aplin rejected the criticism, saying it was strange from someone who “was only too keen to ask for money to repair roads and infrastructure”.

Cr Mack is well within his rights to ask for urgency when it comes to funding around his city. It would be strange is if a mayor wasn’t prepared to advocate for his region – something we all expect from our local member.