The Greater Bendigo City Council has approved the development of Plan Bendigo, a first-of-a-kind plan for a regional city that will shape the future development of the municipality.
Plan Bendigo aims to support a projected population of 200,000 people by the middle of this century and a regional population of 300,000. It will be rolled out jointly by the City of Greater Bendigo and the State Government, through a partnership with the Victorian Planning Authority, and is part of the first phase of implementing the Loddon Campaspe Regional Growth Plan (formally the Loddon Mallee South Regional Growth Plan).
Mayor Margaret O’Rourke said Plan Bendigo, when complete, would include 10 to 15 top infrastructure priorities for the municipality and the region.
“Plan Bendigo will support other Council strategies and complement Council’s vision to enhance liveability. It will have a two-pronged approach – to build on existing infrastructure and support inclusive growth, so as everyone will have an opportunity to fully participate in the community.
“This will mean a focus on placing housing development close to public transport connections and identified activity centres. Initiatives such as Bendigo Metro Rail and the Connecting Greater Bendigo: Integrated Transport and Land Use Strategy ‘10 minute neighbourhood’ concept, where people can access most daily needs within 10 minutes of where they live, will be central to Plan Bendigo.
“Long-identified priorities will feature as part of the plan, including the development of a new industrial park … future urban growth opportunities … together with new schools, recreation facilities, upgrades to drainage and water infrastructure, open space and roads.
“Addressing entrenched disadvantage and the significant and ongoing impacts of being unhealthy and disengaged from the community will also be addressed by the plan.
“It is wonderful that Greater Bendigo has been selected as the area to pilot the development of such a plan. Clearly the State Government recognises and values the excellent work by previous councils and staff to position Bendigo as a progressive regional city that is thinking strategically about its future.
Plan Bendigo will be completed by January 2018.
