Bendigo’s mayor says a controversial council review was worth it.

Independent consultants made 69 recommendations to the council after picking apart elements of its organisation, structure and governance in 2013.

The process of implementing their suggestions has been bruising.

There was heavy criticism and passionate outrage about changes to the council's early childhood and Home and Community Care services, as well as plans for the future operation of the Bendigo Art Gallery.

But the council managed a net saving of $4.3 million over four years.

There are still recommendations yet to be completed, including what should be an expensive consolidation of council offices.

The review was launched in response to claims the council had become inefficient, and was imposing rate rises that would hurt residents.

The council’s decision to outsource Home and Community Care (HACC) was one of its hardest to sell.

Locals were keen to protect the service that helps many of the city's elderly and disabled residents, forcing the council to largely reverse the decision and instead work with union leaders and staff to cut back on costs.

A cut to funding for assets such as the Bendigo Art Gallery was ultimately rejected by councillors.

Mayor Rod Fyffe says it was still a worthwhile exercise.

“We do need to make sure that we are on top of our game, and [the review] has helped to do that,” he said.

“Nevertheless, we need to remember, too, that councillors are diligent and we want to make sure that we achieve the best for our community.”

Bendigo chief executive Craig Niemann agreed.

“I would think that we engage better with the community, we respond better to their requests, our customer service continues to improve — our 'closing the loop' — so making sure we get back to people,” he said.

“Now we can always get better at that, and there will always be room for improvement in an organisation like a local government.”