The draft Council Plan 2025-2029, outlining how Council will guide Greater Bendigo's growth, development and wellbeing over the next four years, has been released for public comment.
This important strategic document has been created following extensive consultation with the Greater Bendigo community, City partners, local stakeholder groups, and Greater Bendigo Councillors.
Public consultation has included a community-wide survey, a series of focus groups, meetings with community representative groups, and information from the City of Greater Bendigo's online engagement platform Let's Talk and customer requests.
In March 2025, the City hosted a community panel with 42 people participating in sessions over three days. The panel included people from over 20 local areas and many different ages, genders and backgrounds.
Collectively, the panel produced community guidance for Councillors to use when making decisions on behalf of the whole community.
The draft Council Plan is a comprehensive blueprint for improving and developing Greater Bendigo over the next four years and includes the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan.
It outlines the 2025-2029 priorities and guides all detailed complementary documents, including the Revenue and Rating Plan, the Financial Plan, and the Annual Budget.
The draft Council Plan is structured around four themes, linked to 12 goals and 34 priorities. The themes are:
- Responsible - Running an effective, fair, and efficient organisation
- Healthy - Protecting and improving our physical, mental, and environmental health
- Thriving - Managing our growth, including businesses, housing, heritage, and creativity
- Welcoming - Celebrating and including everyone in our community
Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf encouraged the community to provide feedback on the draft Council Plan.
"After months of engagement and plan development, it's now time to check in with the community to make sure the draft Council Plan reflects the feedback received from the community," Cr Metcalf said.
"The Council Plan is an important document that will guide the work of Council and City staff over the next four years, investing in our future. It will provide a positive and exciting roadmap for Greater Bendigo.
"We want to be on the right track before the draft Council Plan is put forward for consideration at a future Council meeting in 2025, so your feedback is important.
"I wish to thank community members for their time and energy in providing input into this plan. Engagement was extensive, including in-person meetings and a comprehensive survey. A diverse and enthusiastic community panel, with representation from across the region, shared their top priorities on what they value most about living in Greater Bendigo, its challenges and how best to shape its future."
