Tim Quilty told a public forum on Tuesday night that despite revisions, a draft hills plan, now out for public comment, may not be adopted as expected at October’s council meeting. 

“The draft strategy that has gone out now isn’t going to be the one that we get at the end of this consultation period,” Cr Quilty said.

“We’re going to take more feedback, we’re going to make more changes.

“I don’t think it’s going to end in four weeks time, we’re going to be here in 12 months and probably 24 months still working on this until we get something that we can live with.

“I’m happy with that, just keep going until we get something that if not we’re all happy with, something we can live with.”

Cr Quilty and colleagues Ron Mildren and Libby Hall were the only councillors at the event organised by the Protect Wodonga Hills group.

Mayor Anna Speedie was in Melbourne and an apology as too were councillors Danny Lowe and Kat Bennett.

Ex-councillor Mike Fraser, who worked on the draft plan before last year’s election, admitted consultation needed to be a “hell of a lot better”.

“This is a strategy that will take years to put together...backwards and forwards it will go,” Mr Fraser said.

“I expect it will go through probably at least another three rotations through this current council.”

Protect Wodonga Hills leader Dan Humpage and several residents, including McGaffins Road resident Michael Georgiou, blasted the council’s process.

“The lack of consultation by the council and the refusal to acknowledge that they haven’t consulted is a disgrace to the ratepayers,” Mr Georgiou said.

Mr Humpage has ecological fears over mountain biking on Hunchback Hill, but does not oppose the pursuit.

The earthmover is willing to spend $5000 of his own money on building tracks.

“They deserve a fantastic facility and they’ve been treated appallingly as far as I’m concerned,” he said.