Coliban ward councillor Sebastian Klein has collated 14 years worth of data showing that even though the township has contributed a minimum of 15-16 per cent of the shire’s total rate income, it received only $1.8 million – or five per cent – of the shire’s total capital works output during that time.

He compared that figure to $4.3 million spent in Clunes, $8 million in Creswick and $19.8 million in Daylesford during the same period.

Only Glenlyon fared worse, with a mere $498,000 spent by the council in the past 14 years on capital works.

Cr Klein said residents were less concerned with the level of rates they were paying, but wanted value for the money they paid.

Specifically, he said residents would like a full-time library service and upgraded sporting facilities including fir-for-purpose football club rooms and proper watering of the cricket turf.

He also said the Mechanic’s Institute needed desperate attention as the building was mould-ridden and in poor repair.

Cr Klein also said currently, residents were travelling to Woodend to hold weddings and 21^st birthday parties as the institute’s hall was just too small.

“Other communities are talking about splash parks and the need for arts exhibition spaces. I see it as a hierarchy of needs – there needs to be a basic level of service before we can think about those more delightful projects,” he said.

“We’re the fastest-growing town in the shire. For what we pay, we could demand gold-plated toilets. But we’re just asking for a basic level, to put us on a level playing field.

“Trentham has really got the view that we’ve spent tens of millions of dollars in rates over the decades and we’d like to see something in return for that.”

Trentham Hub community reference group chair Susie Spence Susie Spence said although she’d gathered a 600-signature petition to rebuild the Mechanic’s Institute two years ago, the council continued to ignore the group.

Mayor Neil Newitt did not comment on individual projects and their status within Trentham, but confirmed each town across the shire should have a “fair and equitable” access to services.

“Any services that other communities have should be available to all communities across the shire,” he said.