Posters in support of Mick Henderson resurface Lake Albert water issue during Wagga council election

Posters with the words "Wagga Wagga's Watergate" and pictures of Mayor Greg Conkey, Councillor Rod Kendall and general manager Peter Thompson have been seen in parts of the city.

The posters also make reference to Mr Henderson's brush with the law in January when he played a part in illegally blocking off Tatton Drain to keep rainwater in the lake.

Mr Henderson was fined $750 for his protest over claimed inaction on the lake, which had lost major sporting events due to low water levels.

On Monday, Mr Henderson told The Daily Advertiser that the posters were not made by his campaign.

"Some of my supporters came together and designed it ... they had the signs produced because I have been chasing this Tatton Drain scenario," he said.

Mr Henderson denied the posters constituted an attack on other candidates at an early stage of the campaign.

"It's not a case of attacking anyone, it's a case of proving a point that more can be done [for Lake Albert] and why wasn't it done by our councillors and employees at the council?" he said.

NSW Water Minister Melinda Pavey in March signed a memorandum of understanding with Wagga council in a major step towards using Murrumbidgee River water to replenish the lake. Cr Conkey, who is not standing for council, and Cr Kendall have condemned the posters, saying they cast inaccurate aspersions about the deal struck with the NSW government to improve Lake Albert.

Cr Conkey said the poster was "disappointing" as Cr Kendall and Mr Thompson were actually "heroes, as far as the lake is concerned".

"Cr Kendall came up with the idea of getting the special access licence [to use river water]," he said.

"Mr Thompson went through all the regulations in the Water Act and he was the one who went down with me to see the [NSW Water] Minister on a number of occasions to convince her.

"It's disappointing when those two people are not being recognised for the work they have done to save the lake and provide a long-term solution."

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Cr Kendall said he was "extremely disappointed" that the election had turned negative.

"My advice to any candidate is to concentrate on what they are offering and not denigrate other people and particularly not council staff who are out there trying to do their best and can't defend themselves during ... a council election," he said.

Mr Thompson declined to comment.

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