The first of the seating was installed along the Lincoln Causeway cycle and pedestrian way this week.

Ultimately, the benches will dot 80 kilometres of shared paths which crisscross Wodonga.

But they won’t link to public transport services.

One of the five benches along the causeway has been placed about 40 metres from a bus stop rather than directly alongside it.

Dysons buses North East regional manager Brett Drinnan said it was an odd decision.

“I think it would have made better sense to have the bench nearer the bus stop, it’s not what you would call the most sensible move,” Mr Drinnan said.

“Maybe they’ve got a certain criteria of having them X metres apart and that’s where X landed, instead of using discretion and common sense.”

Not that bus drivers may be confused too much with Mr Drinnan saying the stop, which faces St Ives hotel, is not overly popular.

The council confirmed the benches were designed to be 200 to 300 metres apart and are at aimed at pedestrians rather than would-be passengers.

Manufactured out of recycled Australian plastic, the benches are seen as requiring less maintenance than other designs.

Their rollout is expected to run over several years with the council allocating an amount each year.

Meanwhile, acting mayor Danny Lowe has defended spending on councillors’ professional development.

He told this week’s council meeting that it was a good investment.

“It would be pretty ignorant of councillors to not make the time in building their decision making capacity and also of council not to provide these opportunities,” Cr Lowe said.

He said councillors needed help to ensure they were aware of issues such as planning, legislative frameworks, finance and public speaking.

“I for one cannot sit here and say I am an expert in all those areas,” Cr Lowe said.

“The people of Wodonga whom I represent would also not expect me to be.

“They do however have an expectation that I make the time and build my capacity and add to my knowledge to better represent them.”