A STRONGER GREATER BENDIGO - 2030 Where all people can thrive - StartUp Central Victoria
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A
STRONGER
GREATER
BENDIGO
2030 Where all people
can thrive.
Economic Development Strategy 2020-2030
Greater Bendigo takes a bold, transformative approach to its future. But our history and our deep cultural heritage are also a big part of our strength. We are on Djaara Country. Thousands of years of settlement by the Traditional Owners and the pioneering spirit of gold miners are embedded in our DNA. They represent a crucial part of our story and what we strive to be and what we want to be known for. They provide a binding, often unspoken journey that people gravitate towards in building our identity. Who we are encompasses a number of qualities. We want all our people to see a city that cares for all its people, that is in tune with its environment and that seeks a softer imprint on the planet. A city that values those who are creative and respects those who need support. A city that has a global perspective and reach but is attuned to the importance of local community, identity and networks. Small cities - even great small cities, particularly those in regional settings, often struggle to state their value proposition for their people and for the outside world. Often such statements are characterised by clichéd sentiment that is essentially generic. They seek to try to mean everything to everyone and end up meaning nothing to anyone. While we want to share what we have we don’t simply want to be a tourist destination. While we acknowledge our links to other regions and to Melbourne and we will grow those links, we are much more than an outer commuter suburb. We have built enviable businesses and services in finance and health and our advanced manufacturing sector has a distinct global profile, yet there is more, much more to a community than that. Our housing is affordable for most and our lifestyle is enriched by great heritage buildings and places and as a city in a forest we are envied by many. Those who come for education find a safe and welcoming community. But are these all our value propositions to the world? Why will people come, why will they stay, why will they invest, why will they choose to raise a family and why will they value Greater Bendigo? Different people will have different responses according to their specific needs. Ideally each will find that their needs are met. So what is our identity as we go forward? What will we look like and be known for? When people ask where are you from, what image will they conjure up when you tell them? We will develop and share that response together. It will be the response of an inclusive community. One where everyone feels valued and self-determination is a recognised strength. A community that embraces its past, acknowledges the present, but has a very strong eye on the future. All our people will say - we live in a great place, one that I care for and one that deeply cares for me.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY The City of Greater Bendigo is on both Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung Country. We acknowledge and extend our appreciation for the Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung Peoples, the Traditional Owners of this land. We pay our respects to leaders and Elders past, present and emerging for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and the hopes of all Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung Peoples. We express our gratitude in the sharing of this land, our sorrow for the personal, spiritual and cultural costs of that sharing and our hope that we may walk forward together in harmony and in the spirt of healing.
IMPLEMENTATION
COMMITTEE FOREWORD
Greater Bendigo is a great By 2030 more than 140,000 people will We want to make a difference and want
be calling Greater Bendigo home. The to be able to measure progress that
place to live and invest and city will have a notable track record. It is indicative of a city that is achieving
our assets are the envy of will be renowned for a strong, robust, significant social, economic and
much larger communities. innovative and diversified workplace environmental outcomes. Greater
that creates long term jobs. We will be Bendigo will be more inclusive and
We are a highly liveable, growing a place where people can continue sustainable and a community where
regional centre. Businesses are investing to enjoy an exceptionally high-quality more people can thrive.
and our residents are proud of where lifestyle as we work towards being
We are working towards a focused,
they live. Nearly 2,000 additional recognised as the world’s most
collective impact approach that builds
people call Greater Bendigo home liveable community.
on the strength of our city and the local
every year. We have a strong base Importantly in 2020, the community and regional collaborative partnerships
and by empowering all our people recognises that not everyone is able to that are already in place. We are actively
to thrive we will ensure we can reach fully participate in Greater Bendigo’s adapting to the challenges of economic
our full potential. We are strongly prosperity. We know that education change, taking practical actions to
connected to Melbourne, Sydney levels on average need to be higher manage environmental risks, protecting
and Canberra through our transport and the skills possessed by many of our and building on the liveability of our
and communications networks, and people need to be broader and deeper region, strengthening the resilience of
through our business and government in a rapidly changing economy with our economy and deliver on initiatives
relationships. Globally we are engaging new and challenging workplaces. We for climate change.
with the world; our manufacturers are recognise that increasing household
exporting to over 50 countries, in the We will work with our Boards and
income levels for many people will be
arts and creative industries we have organisations to ensure the on-going
critical and that far too many people
worldwide links and relationships. development of Greater Bendigo, by
find themselves the victims of rapid
achieving the vision and strategic
Our plan is for Greater Bendigo to be change rather than the beneficiaries
directions outlined in this Strategy. We
much more widely recognised as a of new opportunities. Our 2030 plan
invite you to join us on
great liveable city. By 2030 we will have is about building on our strengths
this journey.
built further on our strengths, we’ll be and opportunities, but also squarely
more known nationally and globally facing and acting on what are some
for welcoming and caring for all and emerging and growing issues. The plan
that we are living sustainably within our is designed to uplift people and ensure
environmental setting. that everyone can participate.
4 A STRONGER GREATER BENDIGO 2030
The following people
are the members of the
Implementation Committee:
Cr Margaret O’Rourke Marnie Baker Dennis Bice
Mayor City of Greater Bendigo (Chairperson) Managing Director Bendigo and CEO Be.Bendigo
Craig Niemann Adelaide Bank
CEO City of Greater Bendigo
Damian Wells Peter Faulkner Ryan Peterson
Managing Director Coliban Water CEO Bendigo Health Mayor Greater Bendigo Youth Council
Rodney Carter Nigel McGuckian Danielle Derksen
CEO Dja Dja Wurrung Aboriginal Committee Member for Loddon Chair, Bendigo Education Council
Clans Corporation Campaspe Regional Partnership (2020 - current)
The following people have at • Darren McGregor / Former Chair, • Kylie Ovenden / Senior Economic
times represented the members Bendigo Education Council Development Officer City of
at meetings and City of Greater • Neville Pearce / Interim Managing Greater Bendigo
Bendigo staff have provided Director Coliban Water • Alison McKenzie / Senior Economic
support services: Development Officer City of
• Khayshie Tilak Ramesh
• Shaun Eldridge / Executive / Former Mayor Greater Bendigo Greater Bendigo
Director Finance and Resources Youth Council The Strategy Implementation
Bendigo Health • Annika Ritchie / Former Deputy Committee thanks all those people
• Steve Jackson / General Mayor Greater Bendigo Youth who have contributed their time
Manager Economic Development Council and thoughts through submissions
Dja Dja Wurrung Aboriginal Clans • Bernie O’Sullivan / Director Strategy and attendance at Advisory Group
Corporation and Growth City of Greater Bendigo meetings.
• Jeff Rigby / Former Managing • Trevor Budge / Manager Regional
Director Coliban Water Sustainable Development City of
Greater Bendigo
5
The Strategy’s vision for 2030 is to ‘shape an inclusive, sustainable and prosperous community where all people can thrive’
CONTENTS
IMPLEMENTATION 4. ACTION PLAN 39
COMMITTEE FOREWORD 4 Grow sustainable jobs and investment 40
1. Transform the city centre 41
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 9
2. Capitalise on our gold rush 44
1. I MPACTS AND REALISING 3. Unlock land and future infrastructure 46
THE OPPORTUNITIES 4. Invest in business innovation 50
- THROUGH RECOVERY AND
5. Strengthen our brand 52
POST PANDEMIC 12
Increase liveability for all 54
2. G
REATER BENDIGO 6. Support a healthier community 55
- THE STORY SO FAR 19 7. Invest in all our communities 58
2.1 How did Greater Bendigo adapt to a
8. Help all our communities reach their potential 60
changing agenda and reinvent itself? 21
Better link jobs, education, skills and training
2.2 Future challenges and opportunities in offerings to the city and region’s needs 64
Greater Bendigo and the wider region 22
9. Invest in education and skills 65
2.3 Profound issues that a new Strategy must
confront and resolve 25 10. Build on our procurement programs 68
2.4 Alignment with the Loddon Campaspe 11. Develop our industry and work experience
Regional Economic Growth Strategy 28 programs 70
Be widely envied as a leader in innovation,
2.5 Alignment with other strategic work 29
environmental and climate change initiatives 72
2.6 Two Contrasting Future Scenarios for
12. Lead low carbon and circular economy
Greater Bendigo 30
initiatives 73
3. A
STRONGER GREATER 13. Lead regionally owned energy 76
BENDIGO 2030 33 14. Build resilience around our water services 78
3.1 An Inclusive, Sustainable and Prosperous
Growth Framework 33 5. APPENDICES 80
3.2 Vision 34 Appendix A - Economic impact analysis for
Greater Bendigo 80
3.3 Strategic Directions and Initiatives 34
3.4 Objectives 35 Appendix B - Suggested localised indicators 85
3.5 Implementation and Measuring Success 36 6. REFERENCES 86
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A stronger Greater Bendigo A stronger Greater Bendigo 2030 evolved
from the Greater Bendigo Economic
2030 – where all people can Development Strategy Discussion Paper
thrive is Greater Bendigo’s which was released for public discussion
Economic Development and comment in July 2019. There was
strong support from members of the
Strategy 2020-2030.
public and feedback through formal
submissions and commentary from
The Strategy targets better and more
sustainable businesses and jobs; internal and external advisory groups
improved health and wellbeing; and the Steering Committee.
strengthened skills and education A stronger Greater Bendigo 2030 is an
levels; and actions that improve the action plan for our region’s future. It
environment and tackle climate change. links to the wider Loddon Campaspe
A stronger Greater Bendigo 2030 region and it builds on Greater Bendigo’s
recognises the unprecedented speed outstanding attributes. It is planning for
and severity of COVID-19 on households, sustained population growth, a robust
and diversified economy and a place At the Strategy’s heart is an undertaking
communities and businesses. Greater
where people can enjoy an exceptionally to ensure that everyone living in Greater
Bendigo’s progressive responses to
high-quality lifestyle. Bendigo can have the opportunity to
the impacts of COVID-19 align with the
thrive and participate in a great and
Strategy’s longer-term vision. While Greater Bendigo aspires to be liveable community.
The Strategy has been developed ‘the world’s most liveable community’,
we know that not everyone is able to Too often economic development
and will be implemented through a
strategies are built purely on the
collaborative partnership led by the participate unless decisive action is
successes and attributes enjoyed by
Mayor, CEO’s, Chairs and key members taken - education levels on average need
a city and region. This Strategy is a
of the following organisations: to be higher; skills possessed by many
considered, aspirational and ambitious
• City of Greater Bendigo are limited in a changing workplace;
response to the challenges and
there are large pockets of disadvantage
• Bendigo and Adelaide Bank opportunities that Greater Bendigo and
including high levels of poor health and its wider region will confront over the
• Be.Bendigo wellbeing; and, too many residents find next decade.
• Dja Dja Wurrung Aboriginal Clans themselves the victims of rapid change
Corporation rather than the beneficiaries of new The Strategy capitalises on and
• Loddon Campaspe Regional opportunities. responds to global forces and their local
Partnership and regional impacts and opportunities.
The Strategy’s vision for 2030 is to ‘shape These include: climate change; the rise
• Bendigo Health an inclusive, sustainable and prosperous of Asia; rapid urbanisation; demographic
• Coliban Water community where all people can thrive’. and social change; and digital
• Bendigo Education Council A stronger Greater Bendigo 2030 is innovation. These forces are confronting,
designed to improve the living standards but they are also creating opportunities
• Greater Bendigo Youth Council
of all members of our community by as they impact on lifestyles, the
Each member has committed to building better, more sustainable jobs structure of work, the skills required for
work together as an Implementation and by significantly improving our future jobs, the demand for services and
Committee to build a better future for health, wellbeing, education levels and the current and likely future structure of
the people of the City of Greater Bendigo. our environment. the economy.
9
Failure to respond These circumstances often compound • The visitor and events economy has
poor health and wellbeing and lead to become an important economic
proactively will children and young people being unable pillar with an estimated three million
mean that the to take advantage of the opportunities
that arise from a growing, buoyant
visitors last year
• There is nearly $400M worth of
benefits of economy. new government buildings and
growth will not Bendigo as a major Australian construction locked in and there
regional centre has the critical mass; are significant private sector
be shared by all the liveability, the employment and developments approved or in
business diversity; the physical and progress
locational advantages and connections; Bendigo is not only a major service
Greater Bendigo, similar to other and the collaboration and partnerships centre for an expansive region but has
advanced economies, needs to position between key organisations to developed a distinct and important
itself to be able to reap the benefits of respond to these opportunities and role as Victoria’s third largest urban
these changes and deliver substantial comprehensively tackle the challenges. economy. Increasingly that role draws
benefits for the community. Failure to A stronger Greater Bendigo 2030 on the attributes of an open, innovative
respond proactively will mean that the builds on our existing strengths and and creative city.
benefits of growth will not be shared by our people, embraces a wide agenda The city and region are entering a
all. Further, changes in the economy, the and seeks to implement actions new and exciting period as they are
structure of the workforce and the types and programs which can strengthen capitalising on a series of attributes and
of skills needed in the future are likely to our economy through a program of qualities that give them a national, and
mean that generally those with limited progressive transformation. Many in some areas an international, profile
education and skill levels will be further widely used indicators demonstrate that and reach. Greater Bendigo in many
left behind. Greater Bendigo is not only travelling respects continues to reinvent itself.
Failure to transition to the future very well but is the envy of many other Where it is transforming it is poised to
economy could mean more people will regional centres: seize the opportunities that have been
have limited employment opportunities • Population growth has been strong identified in this Strategy.
and may experience long term for many years and on current
Where a business as usual approach has
disadvantage. indications is likely to be sustained
characterised the last 30 or so years the
into the future – projected rates are in
city has comparatively fallen behind.
the order of 1.7 per cent pa
Expecting to tackle a current challenge
• Our gross domestic product continues by applying the same strategies and
to rise actions have been called out in the
• The economy is buoyant, there is Strategy. Greater Bendigo needs to
consistent jobs growth and overall continue to transition and transform.
unemployment levels are below
The region enjoys a large scale, a wide
national rates
range of services and facilities, lead
organisations with the needed passion
and capability and the civic leaders
to collaboratively work towards this
transformation with widely agreed
outcomes.
10 A STRONGER GREATER BENDIGO 2030A stronger Greater Bendigo 2030 is 6. Support and enable a much healthier
built on an inclusive, sustainable community*
and prosperous growth model and Success can be measured
7. Target investment in services,
is deliberately people-focused, uses through the following
facilities and programs to
a collective impact approach and is outcomes, with a suggested
communities most in need*
outcomes based. list of localised indicators
8. Support all our communities and outlined within the Strategy:
The Strategy incorporates four strategic people to reach their full potential* • A 2.65 per cent increase in
directions which set deliberate themes 9. Invest in building our higher per capita gross regional
around more sustainable businesses and education and skills training product each year,
jobs; improved health and wellbeing; offerings and the transition equating to approximately
strengthened skills and education levels; pathways between them* $85,500 per capita GRP
and the environment. They being: by 2030
10. Build on current local and regional
1. Grow sustainable jobs and procurement programs • A 2.2 per cent increase in
investment jobs per annum, equating
11. Grow our unique leading-edge
2. Increase liveability for all to 13,000 additional jobs
work experience and industry
3. Better link jobs, education, skills over 10 years
engagement programs
and training offerings to the city and • A 5% increase by 2030 in
12. Plan and develop Bendigo and
region’s needs the region’s key liveability
region as low carbon and circular
indicators
4. Be widely envied as a leader in economy leaders*
innovation, environmental and • An increase in Year 12
13. Transition to a regionally owned or equivalent education
climate change initiatives new energy economy completion levels
Fourteen broad initiatives have been 14. Strengthen the city and region’s long- and higher education
developed from the strategic directions term water services plan participation rates to at
and provide outcomes to deliver. An least match the Victorian
action plan has been developed and Members of the Implementation
state averages
included within this Strategy. While Committee will lead the strategic
directions and initiatives listed, • Comprehensively reduce
action is proposed on all, eight initiatives our greenhouse gas
have been nominated as the highest deliver on actions and report on their
progress. In a number of initiatives, the emissions to deliver a net
priority (marked with an asterisk): zero carbon city by 2036
Implementation Committee has listed
1. Transform and revitalise our city or earlier
other organisations it is keen to see as
centre*
strong supporting partners. Measurable progress on the
2. Capitalise on the opportunities initiatives will be indicative
presented by our new gold rush* There is a range of ways to track and
of a city that is achieving
measure success, including the use
3. Unlock land and build new key social, economic and
of continuous data and local-level environmental progress.
infrastructure particularly transport,
monitoring, which it is proposed will be Progress will reflect a place
to support major jobs growth and
aligned with International Standards on that is a more inclusive,
investment*
Sustainable Cities and Communities1. sustainable and prosperous
4. Invest in and support business These standards provide a framework community where more
innovation that supports baseline and historical people are thriving.
5. Strengthen our brand and data and opens opportunities for future
connections to the world forecasting and predictive analysis.
111
IMPACTS AND REALISING THE
OPPORTUNITIES - THROUGH RECOVERY
AND POST PANDEMIC
A stronger Greater Bendigo 2030
recognises the unprecedented
global speed, impact and
severity of COVID-19 on
households, communities,
businesses, cities and nations.
Greater Bendigo, similar to
every other regional city has
been impacted but generally
not to the extent of many other
cities, particularly larger cities
in Australia and overseas.
This Strategy is released in uncertain
A stronger Greater Bendigo 2030 was due
to be released on April 2, 2020. With the
pandemic lock down the launch was
deferred. In light of the overwhelming
impacts and consequences of COVID-19
the Strategy has been reviewed
and where necessary updated to
accommodate the changes that have
occurred. An Economic Impact Analysis
for COVID-19 in Greater Bendigo is
attached in Appendix A. However, that
review has identified that the 14 actions
which framed the earlier version of the
Strategy are still sound, and in fact a
number of the actions have become
even more significant, while some new
opportunities have emerged.
diverse economy, places the city and
region well to move forward through
turbulent times. Planning for long-term
prosperity that can be shared by all,
needs a secure economic and ecological
base, targeting support to those persons,
communities and businesses that have
been the most impacted alongside an
increased willingness, and invested
capacity, to leverage any opportunities
presented by the pandemic. As the
Mayor Cr Margaret O’Rourke has stated
to a national Inquiry “[In Bendigo] there
is that deep DNA of bringing people
together really easily and quickly, and
that is business leaders or government
officials. When there is an opportunity for
something to be done on that stage from
times. But in many respects the need The pandemic has provided an
a collaborative point of view, we have
for this Strategy is even greater than opportunity to reset and sharpen
always been able to pull people really
ever. Cities that come out stronger will priorities and the specific measures that
closely together.”2
be those that not only embrace the need to be taken. Greater Bendigo’s
challenges of the pandemic and its progressive responses to the impacts of The future is uncertain about the
aftermath, but have widely supported COVID-19 comprehensively align with the pandemic’s short and long-term impacts,
strategies, actions, structures and Strategy’s longer-term vision to ‘shape however, there has been some clear
processes in place. Cities that will be best an inclusive, sustainable and prosperous thinking and lessons learnt that are
placed are those that have a clear plan community where all people can thrive’. shaping future agendas.
of where they want to head to and how
The Strategy’s initiatives and actions,
they are going to get there.
along with our existing robust and
12 A STRONGER GREATER BENDIGO 2030There are emerging and potentially persons building a new house in
favourable outcomes that can underpin Victoria’s regional areas can access
Greater Bendigo’s prospects in a post $45,000 towards construction, which
pandemic environment. The capacity of add to the cost savings through lower
new ways of working to break the nexus serviced land costs compared to
between where people work and live metropolitan locations. Affordability There are
has been reinforced: for existing housing stock presents the
• Many people have been able to opportunity for people to enter the emerging and
demonstrate through new working housing market in urban Bendigo for potentially
from home arrangements, that they a house and land package at under
have an increased opportunity to ‘live $350,000. With 875 new dwelling favourable
where they love’ rather than be tied to approvals between June 2019 and
May 2020 Greater Bendigo is in the
outcomes that
a work location.
• Meeting virtually has not only been a
top 10 local government locations in can underpin
revelation within organisations and
the state.
Greater Bendigo’s
businesses, but it has emerged that • Clara’s Melbourne Market Study
work can in many respects be more reveals the high levels of discontent prospects in a
efficient and that location is no barrier with city living outlining the 5 biggest post pandemic
for many transactions. challenges for individuals living in
• Many people have realised the
Melbourne as; cost of living, housing/ environment
rental prices, traffic and travel time,
productivity gains by being able
crime/safety and population growth.
to avoid commuting which assists
In addition to this, 1 in 2 (55%) have
regionally based locations and
considered moving out of Melbourne
businesses.
and 65% of people are either unsure
• Affordable living options, particularly or expect things in the metropolitan
in relation to housing, are now high area to get worse3.
on many people’s agendas. Currently
with government stimulus packages,
13Greater Bendigo
has two of the
state’s four
major goldmines
employing in excess
of 1,000 people
Other factors have emerged that are
likely to better position regional cities
like Bendigo as the full impact of the
pandemic become evident.
Population growth in Greater Bendigo
has had limited dependency on
overseas migration, in contrast to it
being the main driver of population
growth in Australia’s major capital
cities. With only about 25% of Greater
Bendigo’s population growth of
about 2,000 persons p.a. derived from
this source, the impact of projected
significant reductions in overseas
migration will have far less impact
compared to Melbourne and other
capital cities.
With a stronger focus on the need for
Australia being less reliant on importing
manufactured items, the strength of The official Geological Survey of Victoria new GovHub, new Law Courts, TAFE
Greater Bendigo manufacturing and believes that at least 75,000,000 ounces College expansion, additions to Bendigo
advanced manufacturing sector places of gold is waiting to be discovered across Health and new CFA headquarters.
the city well to capitalise on new the state. To place the scale of this in Bendigo is far better placed than most
opportunities. The strong feedback historic context, 88,000,000 ounces of comparable regional cities.
from the Bendigo Manufacturing Group gold have been mined in Victoria in
representing businesses employing A strong post-secondary education and
the last 170 years. There is extensive
some 5,500 people in Bendigo and training presence with four institutions
international interest in the release by
region is that there is significant capacity with a physical presence in the city. As
the state government of the successful
and opportunity for this sector to the Regions at the Ready: Investing in
tenders for the four exploration licences
capitalise on new opportunities. Australia’s Future report notes, “The
for what is known as the North Central
presence of regional universities in rural
The price of gold generally rises in times Victorian Goldfields Ground Release
and regional communities facilitates
of uncertainty. Since the start of 2016 Tender. Bendigo is strategically located
more than just the provision of tertiary
the price of gold has risen 55%. Since to be the major service centre for the
courses to students. As a central
the start of the pandemic impacting exploration and mining jobs which will
institution, regional universities can
Australia in late March it has risen over come from these tenders.
provide the mechanisms needed for
AU$450 per ounce. Bendigo is sitting on With construction activity and future regional towns and cities to thrive …
the cusp of the next gold boom. Greater contracts uncertain because of the they directly link new ideas with regional
Bendigo has two of the state’s four impacts of the pandemic, those cities industries and investment [and] provide
major goldmines employing in excess that have locked in investment are the foundation for government, industry
of 1,000 people and with the goldmine exceptionally well placed. The Bendigo and business to work collaboratively and
at Fosterville mining what is widely city centre has a pipeline of government in partnership; and develop necessary
regarded as the world’s highest-grade, contracted building construction education, training and skill course to
lowest-cost mining operations. totaling nearly $400million through a support the region’s needs.”4
14 A STRONGER GREATER BENDIGO 2030“Having a strong university presence
in Bendigo is vital for our economy,
our social and cultural life and for our
liveability. Greater Bendigo supports all
higher education providers who want to
secure a base in Bendigo and embraces
exploring a collaborative model with
the scope to provide shared delivery
points including in the city centre. What
is needed are programs delivered and
supported locally that are relevant
to student needs and the long term
workforce needs of the city and region.”5
Whether it’s the overall strength of
the Bendigo economy, the emerging
major regional role the city is playing,
the boost to local businesses and
the connections provided by the
Qantas flights to Sydney, the assured
government construction jobs, the
sustained growth in population and
tourism, the resurgence in gold mining Greater Bendigo is now building on a
and exploration, or more likely a strong base of:
combination of all these factors, but • Sustained population growth
there has been a major commercial
• A vibrant service sector and facilities
interest in the city centre to build hotels.
with major investment in areas such
Recognising the strategic opportunities as health, post-secondary education
of Bendigo the City Council in the last and training and government service
two years has fielded enquiries from facilities
at least seven separate firms generally • Acclaimed arts and creative industries
proposing 5-6 storey 100-130 bed 4.5
• Living affordability
star hotels. Significantly a number of
these are from developers who have • Continuing investment in transport The recently released report Regions at
purchased their site. at the Bendigo airport and with three the Ready: Investing in Australia’s Future,
new stations as part of Bendigo Metro identified the importance of what they
Currently the City has granted one Rail referred to as ‘catalytic investment’.
planning permit and is assessing two
• Housing choice from inner city, to This type of investment drives
more. The level of interest in this form of
suburban to rural and small town development and growth, and leads
development is unprecedented.
lifestyle – all with short commutes to further investment. For example,
While circumstances can change, the • Strong ‘ten-minute’ neighbourhoods the presence of an airport, hospital,
emerging evidence is that Bendigo in a ‘twenty-minute city’ with university or government department.
is less impacted by the pandemic exceptional community identity and These investments can set off a
than large cities and is well placed support chain of related outcomes including
to take advantages of new ways of population growth, education and
• Great lifestyle attributes such as
work, enhanced emphasis on lifestyle employment opportunities, improved
recreation and sporting facilities
locations, greater focus on affordability social and cultural capital, and related
and the emergence of new investment • Outstanding built heritage as part of infrastructure investment. All of which
and jobs opportunities. The historic the city’s DNA can markedly influence and transform
attributes of regional living have, in • Access to nature through the whole the economic and social prosperity of
many instances, been strengthened. urban area being a ‘city in a forest’ regional towns.6
15These attributes, together with being, In their submission to the House of Alongside existing short term actions
‘separate but highly accessible’ to Representatives Select Committee currently being delivered, actions
Melbourne (and Sydney via our new Air on Regional Development and outlined in the strategy aim to minimise
route once re-opened), has positioned Decentralisation, the RAI identified that the impact of immediate job losses,
Greater Bendigo to look for the silver promoting the movement of population such as:
lining in meeting the challenges of a out of the cities will also have benefits • Realising the potential of creating a
COVID-19 recovery. The reality is that our for the nation’s economy in general. The Circular Digital economy and a super
city makes an exceptionally strong pitch RAI submitted that “for every 100,000 high speed digital City with the 100GB
to prospective residents and businesses Australians who choose to live in Bendigo initiative
to shift and invest. growing regional cities rather than our
• Supporting the continuing
big five cities, an additional $50 billion
This trend is not new. The Regional transformation of the city centre and
will be released into the economy over
Australia Institute (RAI) has identified the adjustment of retailing to new
30 years in reduced congestion costs
through a study of the 2011 and 2016 ways of doing business
and increased consumption.”8
Census results that, contrary to popular • Building local jobs through the nearly
perceptions, “more people were moving The initiatives and actions set out $400M State Government building
from capital cities to regional areas than in A stronger Greater Bendigo 2030, investment in jobs
there were moving the other way. Our target improved living standards of
• The growing private sector interest in
two largest cities showed a net loss of our residents by building better, more
building accommodation and housing
people to regions between 2011 and sustainable jobs and by improving our
development
2016.”7 health, wellbeing, education levels and
our environment. • Council’s new industrial strategy
leading to a new business-industrial
The inclusive, sustainable and park with up to 3,000 jobs
prosperous growth framework has been
• Planned expansion of the airport to
By launching built through an economic, social and
increase flight capacity and establish a
environmental context, recognising
this Strategy that everyone living in Greater Bendigo
dedicated airport business park
• New strategies and plans aimed at
during the time needs to have the opportunities to
enhancing the City as a place to live
develop to their full potential through
of COVID-19, deliberate actions to address their needs such as Greening Greater Bendigo and
Re-imagining the Bendigo Creek
we are actively and a city wide inclusive approach to
leverage all our existing strengths. At • The realisation of the benefits of
adapting to the the same time the Strategy does not Bendigo’s UNESCO designation as
avoid confronting the impacts of climate
challenges of change and lifestyle and business
Australia’s first city of gastronomy
which also relates to the wider region
economic change practices that exceed our resources.
All of these are not only adding to
The Strategy includes actions to Greater Bendigo being a visitor and new
sustainably operate and manage resident destination of choice but to
within the earth’s resources and critical attracting investment in businesses and
ecological boundaries. The pandemic jobs.
is having a deleterious effect, but it also
Greater Bendigo is working towards a
offers opportunity for the future shaping
focused, collective impact approach
of the Greater Bendigo economy into
that builds on the strength of our city
one which aims for a more balanced
and the local and regional collaborative
delivery with a clear social foundation
partnerships that are already in place.
and ecological celling to work within.
By launching this Strategy during
A future more in harmony with that a
the time of COVID-19, we are actively
few generations ago led by the Dja Dja
adapting to the challenges of economic
Wurrung.
change, taking practical actions to
manage environmental risks, protecting
and building on the liveability of our
region, strengthening the resilience
of our economy and delivering on
initiatives to combat and lessen the
impacts of climate change.
172
2
GREATER BENDIGO - THE STORY SO FAR
The City of Greater Bendigo,
with a population of over
118,000 people is located
in the geographic centre of
Victoria.
The region is part of Jaara Country, the
traditional land of people of the Dja Dja
Wurrung language. With Bendigo as its
largest centre, the municipality also has
thriving smaller communities including
Heathcote, Elmore, Goornong, Marong,
Redesdale and Axedale. Bendigo has
been a major business and industry
centre since the gold rush in the 1850s.
The growing economy and vibrant
community make Bendigo an exciting
and progressive place to live.
Many widely used indicators
• The visitor and events’ economy has
become an important economic pillar
with over three million visitors to the
Bendigo region, including 1.3 million
overnight visitors, a 19.5 per cent
growth on the previous year and a 92
per cent growth over the past 10 years
Liveability in Greater Bendigo by many
common measures can be judged to be
very high:
• The economy and employment are
diverse and cover a wide range of
sectors and offers a variety of jobs
rarely seen in regional centres of
similar size9
• The completion of Bendigo Health’s
new $1B hospital and fitout has
given the region Australia’s leading
regionally based digital hospital
• Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, which
• Bendigo’s nationally renowned
built heritage provides the city and
surrounds with an extraordinary asset
and defining legacy from our gold
mining past
• Major sporting and recreation facilities
are the envy of much larger cities
• Housing costs are comparatively
low whether people choose to live
in urban Bendigo or in the many
surrounding small towns and rural
communities
• Residents enjoy short work
commutes, free of the traffic
congestion and wasted time and costs
that afflicts Australia’s major cities
These qualities provide a critical
foundation for a widely supported
economic development strategy with
a strong local commitment to deliver
demonstrate that Greater Bendigo is not is headquartered in Bendigo, is and implement the key actions. Greater
only travelling very well but could be the Australia’s fifth largest retail bank and Bendigo is now poised to build further
envy of many other regional centres: the only bank with its headquarters on its past and current successes and
located outside of a capital city its extensive assets, attributes and
• Population growth has been strong
for many years and on current • The direct connections to the rest opportunities. As a great small city,
indications is likely to be sustained of the globe offer daily flights to and Bendigo knows that it can continue
into the future – projected population from Sydney via the Bendigo Airport to perform well above its size. Greater
growth rates are in the order of 1.7 • The Bendigo arts and creative Bendigo enjoys:
per cent industries scene is exceptionally • A single local government jurisdiction
• Greater Bendigo has a projected 2050 strong. The Bendigo Art Gallery is covering the city and rural surrounds
population of about 200,000 people now the national leader in regional • An agreed and shared productive
galleries, the 1,000 seat Ulumbarra set of goals and priorities with its
• Our gross regional product continues
Theatre is exceeding attendance neighbouring local governments
to rise – averaging 8.32 per cent
forecasts and Bendigo’s recent across the Loddon Campaspe region
between 2014 and 2018 admission to the UNESCO Creative
• The economy is buoyant and overall Cities Network is international • Civic leaders who are committed to
unemployment levels are below recognition of the city and region working together to deliver shared
national rates actions and outcomes
• Our residents enjoy ‘a city in a
• There is nearly $400M worth of forest’ with its amazing access to an • An enduring collaborative partnership
new government buildings and extraordinary natural environment approach between the city’s leading
facilities construction locked in and – unique among Australia’s regional organisations
there are significant private sector centres, urban Bendigo is virtually • A proud track record of delivering
developments approved or in train surrounded by national parks projects
19Key highlights and industries of
Bendigo as at February 202010 are:
Number Average Value-add
of jobs personal industries
weekly
Total 47,905 income • Finance
• Health care services
output
$604 • Retail trade
$14.528B • Construction
Key Gross Regional
industries Product per
Gross Regional worker
• Manufacturing Product total Gross
• Construction
$7.503B $156,635 Regional
• Financial and Product per
insurance capita
• Rental, hiring and
real estate services $67,919
ight visit itor s nigh
e rn or Vis ts y trip visitors
Ov s Da
19.5% 2.4% 7.1%
92% 89% 42%
1.3 million overnight 2.6 million visitor nights 3.2 million day trip visitors
visitors
• 2.4% growth on the • 7.1% growth on the
• 19.5% growth on the previous year previous year
previous year
• 89% growth over the past • 42% growth over the past
• 92% growth over the past 10 years 10 years
10 years
20 A STRONGER GREATER BENDIGO 20302.1 How did Greater Bendigo The region is entering a new and Facing the need to think bigger and
adapt to a changing agenda exciting period as it capitalises on a bolder, a ‘collaborative, collective
series of attributes and qualities that impact approach’ guided the actions
and reinvent itself? give a national, and in some areas an of Council, many of Bendigo’s leading
international profile and reach. Greater institutions and some notable visionary
The past one hundred and eighty Bendigo is reinventing itself once again leaders. The city has reaped the benefits
years have seen an extraordinary and is poised to seize the opportunities from:
transformation. Land which was that have been identified in this
violently taken from the Dja Dja Wurrung • A diversified economic base
Strategy.
– the Traditional Owners – to firstly • Growing a number of local ‘anchor’
become an obscure pastoral run, was The changes, growth and development institutions into national icons
dramatically impacted in the 1850s by that has taken place over the last three • Developing a strong visitor economy
what was to become the world’s richest decades reveal that since 1990 the city
• Investing in health facilities and
gold mining centre. Bendigo in the early has again changed tack in response to
secondary and post-secondary
twentieth century then transitioned many forces. Greater Bendigo and its
education facilities
into a traditional manufacturing wider region has largely reinvented itself
and agricultural centre. Now, at the through a combination of: • Building liveability through an
commencement of the third decade emphasis on great new community
• Deliberate priority actions
of the twenty first century, Bendigo is facilities
• Fortuitous public and private
not only a major service centre but has • Linking to a wide grid of water sources
investments
developed a distinct and important and securing water for population
role as Victoria’s third largest urban • Bold new directions and initiatives growth and climate change
economy. Increasingly that role draws that capitalised on the circumstances
• The revival of regional passenger rail
on the attributes of an open, innovative of the time
services to and from Melbourne
and creative city. • Embracing global trends and using
• The construction of a freeway linking
new technology
Bendigo to Melbourne
• Leveraging the benefits of government
• Upgrading the Bendigo Airport and
investment in infrastructure
attracting the nation’s major carrier to
particularly in areas such as transport
The region is and health
provide daily flights
entering a new and • Building a diversified economy that is
• Sustained population growth with an
increase of nearly 50,000 people in the
exciting period as not tied to any one declining sector -
in contrast to the circumstances that
city’s population in the last 30 years
it capitalises on a some other regional centres found • Engaging with the rest of the world for
new markets and ideas
series of attributes themselves in
• Further supporting Greater Bendigo as
By realising a series of strategic
and qualities that opportunities as they arose, by
a major agricultural services support
centre
give a national, deliberate, considered and well
thought out strategies and initiatives • An exceptionally strong local and
and in some areas and perhaps in some cases by chance, regional food industry enhanced by
an international the city and region has repositioned the international UNESCO designation
as a City of Gastronomy
and greatly strengthened itself over
profile and reach the last generation. Over $3B has been • Innovative advanced manufacturers
invested by Federal, State and Local bucking national trends and growing
governments over the last 14 years in jobs
key infrastructure.
21NORWAY
DENMARK
UNITED KINGDOM NETHE
IRELAND
SWITZERLAND
CANADA BELGIUM
FRANCE
SPAIN
ITALY
UNITED STATES
JAMAICA
GHANA
BRAZIL
2.2 Future challenges
and opportunities in
Greater Bendigo and the
wider region
Projecting Greater Bendigo’s current CHILE
population growth rates will see a
total population of 200,000 persons by ARGENTINA
about 2050 and approaching 400,000
in the region. It is expected that urban
Bendigo would be a regional centre
of about 200,000 people – one of the
twenty largest cities in Australia. In
effect, the next three decades will see
the city almost double its population,
dwelling stock and the number of jobs.
Growth across much of the region, and 1. Growing urbanisation 2. Demographic and social change
particularly in the Melbourne - Bendigo
People are increasingly mobile and There are profound changes underway
- Echuca corridor, will be strong and
attracted to cities with jobs, safe places, relating to a much greater level of
transformative.
quality health and education facilities aged persons and changing household
The Strategy Discussion Paper released and affordable housing. Place now structures. An ageing population has
in mid-2019 identified the following five matters like never before. Congestion workforce implications. Providing
major external changes and forces that in large cities means that regional cities suitable housing, relevant education
will impact on Greater Bendigo and the can be increasingly attractive. Greater and training and long-term employment
region. The city and region have little, if Bendigo and region can capitalise opportunities for all people - but
any, control over these forces but each through planning and actions to create particularly young people – are critical
of them presents distinct opportunities an urban environment that is smart, ingredients for a sustainable Greater
that Greater Bendigo will need to sustainable, focused on local jobs, Bendigo and wider region.
capitalise on. education and enhanced liveability.
22 A STRONGER GREATER BENDIGO 2030SWEDEN
FINLAND
ERLANDS
GERMANY POLAND RUSSIA
AUSTRIA CZECH REPUBLIC
ROMANIA
UKRAINE Countries that
SLOVENIA KOREA members of the
GREECE Bendigo Region
Y TURKEY JAPAN Manufacturing
AZERBAIJAN KAZAKHSTAN
CHINA Group have
EGYPT IRAQ IRAN exported to
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES HONG KONG TAIWAN
SAUDI ARABIA INDIA
THAILAND
VIETNAM
MALAYSIA
SRI LANKA
SINGAPORE
TANZANIA INDONESIA
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
FIJI
SOUTH AFRICA
BENDIGO
NEW ZEALAND
3. Climate change 4. The rise of Asia 5. Digital disruption and innovation
We need to develop and deliver local The rising incomes of Asia have the Knowledge-intensive businesses with
solutions so we can better adapt to potential to shape Australia’s regions the ability to use new communication
and mitigate the impact of climate through an inflow of investment, a systems will provide the most
change on businesses, agriculture, growth of exports and tourism and productive opportunities in the future.
communities and people. We can move by accommodating those seeking Greater Bendigo will need to position
to local renewable energy generation, higher education and training. There itself to capitalise on this in order
plan our region to reduce greenhouse are growing opportunities for more to attract and retain a highly skilled
gas emissions, build resilience around international markets with good workforce and continue to be a leading
our water services and contribute to transport and connectivity becoming regional centre. The alternative is
sustainable global solutions. key enablers for the wider region. disruption, scrambling to compete with
other centres for talent and coping with
the impacts of rapid change.
23The Discussion Paper asserted that an The Discussion Paper identified that the ‘first thousand days’ impacts
effective Strategy would need actions more occupations in the future will the lifelong health, wellbeing and
to substantially increase the overall require better complex problem-solving opportunity for the child.
living standards of all members of the skills, enhanced critical thinking and
Education and employability are
community. This would mean a Strategy greater creativity. Future workplaces
also the fuel for further growth and
with a strong focus on delivering what is will require better digital literacy skills
prosperity, not only for people but
termed inclusive growth11. and the ability to use digital platforms
also for the success and prosperity of
and programs to communicate, market,
An inclusive growth outcomes places. The youth of Greater Bendigo
transact and find information.
approach means that those people have identified that meaningful and
and communities who have been Digital literacy is a basic workforce recognised work experience through
marginalized and disadvantaged requirement. The future of many local businesses is an essential element
by change are not ‘left behind’ and occupations is uncertain, but many jobs of strengthening their prospects. Our
the advantages of increased wealth will require workers to rely more on education and training systems must
and opportunities are shared more creative thinking rather than on physical provide the required skills for our
equitably. This means tackling a difficult labour or other traditional skill-sets. current and future workforce. If these
agenda of issues including; the changing critical elements are neglected, a
The first thousand days of a child’s life
nature of work and the implications of growing proportion of our community
is recognised as a period of maximum
such changes; the provision of better will be further marginalized and
developmental plasticity, when the
and more relevant education and disadvantage will be entrenched and
foundations of optimum health, growth,
skills development; increasing the will span generations.
and neurodevelopment across the
employability of people particularly
lifespan are established. A child’s home
young people; and building the capacity
and community environment during
of businesses to embrace innovation.
24 A STRONGER GREATER BENDIGO 20302.3 Profound issues that a A social and economic geographical
new Strategy must confront
divide has emerged in Greater Bendigo
and resolve
where household location and family
The Greater Bendigo narrative presented
so far has emphasised:
circumstances influence and in some
• Past successes cases are major determinants of likely
• Current attributes opportunities and future outcomes
• The capacity to innovate and
transition
• The value of not pursuing a business
as usual approach This situation is creating major divisions The depth and scale of this situation in
in society, it is entrenching disadvantage Greater Bendigo is such that this could
• The need for continuing reinvention
and in some instances, it is leading to be seen as so entrenched that it could
and transformation to support people
poverty and disengagement. become a permanent feature of the
and the economy and build liveability
city and regional social and economic
Greater Bendigo’s civic leaders and
The reality though is that this landscape. Such an outcome is not
key organisations are increasingly
progressive agenda is now confronted acceptable.
aware that there are increasing
by the stark reality of data about the
numbers of people in the region with In raw numbers and particularly in
city that identifies a major challenge
limited employment prospects and comparison to metropolitan Melbourne,
to deliver the sort of place that the city
opportunities; a growing proportion of but similar to many other regional
aspires to be. Greater Bendigo, similar
households are experiencing systemic centres, Greater Bendigo has:
to many other cities around the world,
disadvantage; greater numbers of • A low year 12 or equivalent education
has a growing set of issues relating to
both young and older workers are completion rate
the employability of many people, but
poorly equipped to deal with a rapidly
particularly youth, and their long-term • A low level of participation in higher
changing work scene; and there are too
capacity to lead fulfilling lives in a education
many children and young people, who
rapidly changing economy. • High rates of young people who are
because of their circumstances, have
The number of people and households limited opportunities to secure long leaving school at 16 years of age and
who are being marginalised by changes term employment in satisfying jobs. are not entering the workforce or skills
in the economy is increasing, and training
While this situation does mirror an
many skills possessed by the current • High levels of people with mental
increasing global trend, in some
workforce are becoming redundant or at health problems
respects this situation may be more
least are in far less demand. While there • High levels of households in
entrenched in places like Bendigo than
is a shortage of trained and experienced nominated suburbs who experience
in many larger centres. Why would this
people in some occupations there is food insecurity and live in households
be the case? It is likely that those who
also a growing casualisation of labour which are characterised by poor
find themselves in such circumstances
and in the nature of work itself. nutrition and health outcomes
in Greater Bendigo are not necessarily
attracted to shift to larger centres. This • Major concentrations of households
can be the case particularly if they are and people who are living in poverty
unfamiliar with other places, lack family • A limited range of higher educational
and workplace connections and face offerings that enable it to retain,
higher housing and other costs. educate and train many of its best and
brightest students and place them in
the local and regional workforce
• High rates of people under 25 years of
age who have been unemployed for
longer than 5 years
• Great difficulty in recruiting and
attracting persons for specialised
positions in the workforce
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