I can understand his frustrations, and those of many residents, advocating for action to solve the problems for maintaining a viable level in one of Wagga's prime attractions.

The state government has shown disdain to regional NSW on any number of issues, particularly on matters concerning water, and Melinda Pavey is one of those who tends to thumb her nose at regional issues affecting her portfolio.

One might have expected some input from the once supposed champion of rural-based residents, the "Country Party", aka The Nats, but under the leadership of the Liberal-controlled John Barilaro, they're about as handy as an ashtray on a motorbike, so we would not like to be left hanging, waiting for some positive response from them. Mick Henderson and his supporters have shown a simple remedy to assist maintaining a suitable level in the lake. It's not a 100 per cent cure but it would certainly help.

If the government want to start waving red flags and threatening fines for some proactive action demonstrating how easy it is to fix a problem that they have procrastinated over for many years, then little hope we have of them fixing a wide range of issues in regional NSW.

It would be nice to think our council might have lent some support rather than issuing some spiffy statement that it might jeopardise talks with the water minister, and dance to the tune of Natural Resources Access Regulator - whatever purposeful use they have provided in the past.

A lot of people wouldn't give two bob for some of our politicians. They say that their word is useless. Despite saying one thing, they then turn around and do the opposite.

I can recall reading in the Tumbarumba Times (September 25, 2019) when John Barilaro told the members of the Save Tumbarumba Shire that he thought that the forced council mergers never made sense and they should never have happened.

Despite having all the policy-changing influence that a deputy premier has, he didn't share his views with his Premier.

He said nothing. This bloke is obviously so full of hot air he could keep a hot air balloon soaring for hours.

And just prior to the last state elections at a rally in Cooma, the very same John Barilaro gave a steely-eyed promise consolidated with a firm handshake to members of our Council in Exile that if he was re-elected, he would come to Gundagai within a few weeks and sort out the amalgamation "mess".

However, despite retaining his seat, he never honored his promise. He passed the buck on to another minister. Remember the old saying John: when the cats away the mice will play? Well, now you've got the chance to do the right thing for once and show us what you are really made of.

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While the Premier is away and you hold the reins as acting premier, you have got a golden opportunity to set the record straight and end these disastrous forced amalgamations. So come on John, buck the trend and do the right thing for once.

You may never get the opportunity again. However, I won't be holding my breath but, then again, miracles sometimes do happen.

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