Creating the world’s most liveable community

City of Greater priority projects for the Australian Government Welcome to Greater Bendigo

Greater Bendigo – creating the world’s most liveable community.

The City of Greater Bendigo is pleased to present this investment prospectus. The City would welcome the opportunity to further partner with the Australian Government to help achieve its vision for Greater Bendigo to be the world’s most liveable community. Greater Bendigo’s population is growing and diversifying because it can offer residents everything they need in one place – world-class health care, access to domestic and international flights, quality education providers, affordable housing and great employment, recreation and cultural opportunities. This prospectus highlights a range of projects that demonstrate the City’s strength to plan long-term and recognise what is needed now and into the future to remain a successful community. Delivering the projects in this prospectus will drive future economic growth and job creation for Greater Bendigo and the wider region, enhance the health of our community and improve our overall liveability. The projects represent an investment in the future of Greater Bendigo and we respectfully seek your support for our vibrant community.

Acknowledgement of Country City of Greater Bendigo is on Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung Country. The City acknowledges and extends its appreciation to the Traditional Owners of the land, and pays its respects to leaders and Elder’s past, present and emerging for they hold the memories, traditions, culture and the hopes of all Aboriginal people. The City expresses its gratitude in the sharing of this land, sorrow for the personal, spiritual and cultural costs of that sharing, and hopes that the community may walk forward together in harmony and in the spirit of healing. Who are we?

Greater Bendigo is one of ’s largest inland cities, supporting a local population of approximately 113,6001 and regional population of close to 240,0002. These numbers are forecast to reach about 200,0003 and 350,0004 respectively by 2050.

The City wants Greater Bendigo to be a place of excellence for business, including Bendigo Health, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, all citizens. Our population is becoming increasingly culturally, Hazeldene’s Chicken Farm, Thales Australia, Australian Defence religiously and ethnically diverse. We strive to be an inclusive Apparel, La Trobe University, Keech Australia, SERCO, Parmalat, community that is accessible for all, celebrates multiculturalism, MSD Animal Health, Fosterville and Mandalay Resources mines, and acknowledges and respects its Traditional Owners, the Dja Industrial Conveyancing, Hofmann Engineering, various Victorian Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Gurai-illam Wurrung language Government departments and more than 7,500 businesses. groups of the Central Kulin nation. Bendigo has a fascinating history and was once one of the richest cities in the world after gold was discovered here in 1851. The To Deniliquin impact of the gold rush is still evident today, particularly Echuca through our beautiful streetscapes and historic buildings. To Swan Hill

Greater Bendigo consists of an urban area and many To Mildura rural small towns and villages, all of which contribute to our strong sense of community and provide residents with great lifestyle alternatives. Inner-city Wedderburn To Shepparton living, family homes, or hobby or large-scale farms can all be found here. To Wangaratta We are also a service and infrastructure centre Nagambie surrounded by Mount Alexander, Campaspe, Central To Mildura Bendigo Euroa Goldfields, Macedon Ranges, Loddon, Mitchell and Maldon Strathbogie shires, which see Bendigo as a viable Heathcote Maryborough alternative to travelling to to access the Castlemaine services they need.

Our location in the geographic centre of is two Broadford hours from Melbourne by road or train and a 90-minute drive from Melbourne Airport. Although easily accessible, this distance has seen Greater Bendigo develop into a largely self-contained regional centre, where more than 90 per cent of the workforce lives locally. Our main industries are healthcare and social assistance, retail, manufacturing, construction, and education and training. Greater Bendigo’s economy is valued at $7.07B5 per annum. Large employers range from major institutional organisations to private Melbourne

1,2. ABS 2016; 3,4. Based on Victoria in Future 2016; 5. REMPLAN, 2017 5 The answer: Greater Bendigo

The City has a proud history of working with all levels of government and private industry to deliver essential services and infrastructure to residents.

The projects in this prospectus demonstrate the City’s ability to Our many attributes, such as award-winning restaurants and plan for the future, setting a benchmark in the Local Government cafes, a celebrated arts and culture scene, a range of festivals sector as a forward thinking, creative and adaptable organisation. and major events, Qantas flights to Sydney and beyond, quality recreation facilities, and beautiful heritage and natural surrounds Our guiding documents include the Community Plan 2017-2021, also contribute to our brand as a liveable community. Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2017-2021, Greater Bendigo Residential Strategy, the award-winning Connecting Greater Bendigo has the vision and capability to continue to drive Greater Bendigo: Integrated Transport and Land Use Strategy, the development of a strong, diverse economy Commercial Land and Activity Centre Strategy, Economic and vibrant community life, and looks Development Strategy, Environment Strategy and Plan forward to building on its successful Greater Bendigo. history in partnership with others. Increasingly, Greater Bendigo is acting as a solution for families and businesses that find living and operating in capital cities unsustainable. The advent of high speed internet has meant that people do not have to be in the same city or even the same country to do business, so this has allowed them to choose liveability over accessibility. To ensure Greater Bendigo can support an expected population of 200,000, there will need to be approximately 40,000 more jobs created. One of our highest growth demographics is 25-34 year olds. To ensure these people can transition through their careers locally, it will be important to develop ongoing employment opportunities from entry level through to senior positions. The City is also working to establish Greater Bendigo as a ‘smart city’ and believes technology will be able to help improve liveability and solve some of our local challenges. We are working with La Trobe University to make data capture easy and cost effective, so it can then be available for the community to use and create products or services from.

7 Vibrancy and culture

Greater Bendigo’s reputation as a leader in the provision of arts and cultural experiences has been firmly established over the past decade. The City proudly celebrates its gold rush past and the people who contributed to shaping our history. We are continually looking for opportunities to attract people to our region to share in a range of experiences that tell our unique story.

Central Deborah Gold Mine Bendigo is a city built on gold, with more gold found in the region A contemporary function centre is proposed that can cater for between 1850 and 1900 than anywhere else in the world. Today, events, weddings and offer a museum and exhibition space, the poppet heads, grand avenues and historic buildings serve as improved retail space and visitor hub for all Bendigo Heritage a visual reminder of the richness of the Bendigo goldfield. Attractions experiences, including evening tram services through the CBD area. It will also have the capacity to host new activities, The Central Deborah Gold Mine is an authentic interpretation including jewellery making workshops, gold panning, a play space, of the historic operations of quartz mining in Bendigo, Victoria’s performance space and gold miner cage ride. highest producing goldfield, because it is the only mine left with the fabric of its historic operation intact. It offers three different The cost breakdown is as follows: underground tours and a self-guided surface mine tour. Total project cost – $6M The Central Deborah Gold Mine is in need of a ‘game changer’ Australian Government – $2M project that will lift admissions and improve future operations, Victorian Government – $3M complementing the tourism offer in Bendigo and central Victoria. City of Greater Bendigo – $1M

Artist impression: Central Deborah Gold Mine

Left and above: Artist impression of Central Deborah Gold Mine

9 National Chinese Museum of Australia The Golden Dragon Museum has a vision to transform Bendigo’s Other – fill an identified gap in Bendigo’s accommodation offering, Chinese precinct into Bendigo’s Chinatown. provide increased visitation to the National Chinese Museum of Australia, provide package accommodation options and attract At the heart of the new Chinatown will be the re-brand and higher spending markets expansion of the Golden Dragon Museum, to be known as the National Chinese Museum of Australia. Demolish current museum building and replace it with a building To complement the museum is the planned development attached to the new extension (Hibernia Hotel and Elders Room of a 180-room, 4.5 star hotel. are retained) Cost – $22.6M, private sector investment The Golden Dragon Museum is a renowned tourist attraction in Bendigo that houses a superb collection of antiquities that Economic benefits – 104 full time jobs are rarely seen outside of China and is home to many parading Other – sustaining visitation to the National Chinese Museum dragons, including Imperial Dragons Loong, Sun Loong and Dai of Australia and increasing the precinct’s vibrancy Gum Loong. It is surrounded by the Yi Yuan Gardens, Guan Yin Temple, and a public gathering and event space. The museum attracts approximately 35,000 paying visitors a year and a further 45,000 visitors to the precinct to attend events. Bendigo has a proud Chinese Development of Bendigo Chinatown is seen as an investment in history that stretches back to enhancing cultural relations and further promoting the diversity the gold rush in 1851. By 1854, of our community. Chinatowns the world over are considered there were approximately 4,000 significant tourism drivers and increasingly have become a Chinese on the goldfields who reflection of improving strategic connections with China. had come in search of riches. The Chinese that migrated to Construction details Bendigo contributed greatly to There are a significant number of opportunities for the Chinese the development of the city. precinct to transition to a Chinatown. A three-stage development is proposed:

Extend current museum building Visitation – projected visitation to reach 64,000 by year three Economic benefits – 94 full time jobs during construction, 13 full time jobs during operation Total project cost – $16M Australian Government – $5M Victorian Government – $10M City of Greater Bendigo – $1M

Attract and build a high-end hotel Cost – $54M, private sector funding supported by land incentives Economic benefits – 316 full time jobs during construction, 105 full time jobs during operation

11 Connecting Greater Bendigo

By road, rail and air Greater Bendigo is open for business, however improved infrastructure is critical to enhance connectivity for residents and improve the visitor experience.

Bendigo Airport Terminal Bendigo Airport is ready to reach out to the world and from March • Increased visitor expenditure resulting from additional 2019 Qantas will offer a Bendigo to Sydney return service six-days- visitation to the region a-week. • Time saved not having to travel to Melbourne airports To enable the airline’s expansion to Bendigo and growth in the for business and leisure passengers local market, a new terminal building is required to meet current Total project cost – $9.895M aviation and safety standards. Australian Government – $4.395M The project will deliver new passenger facilities, including: Victorian Government – $4.5M • Arrivals hall City of Greater Bendigo – $1M • Baggage pick up • Check in counters Airport rail and fast rail • Public concourse It is essential that Australian and Victorian governments invest • Departure lounge in fast rail and that the proposed airport rail link benefits regional Victoria. • Retail and food business opportunities • Administration office Decentralisation is favoured by Australian and Victorian governments, and investment in infrastructure of this scale • Business hub/conference room would support these plans. • Car parking It is critical that Bendigo is considered as part of any future • Extension of utilities, which will also support the development upgrades for fast rail and that regional Victoria can access of a future business park onsite Melbourne Airport, without first having to travel into the • Essential security requirements, including 3D checked baggage city centre. and carry-on baggage screening Fast rail ensures that our people, state-wide services and business The project is estimated to generate up to 40 direct and indirect can thrive with ready access to a reliable service. local jobs during construction, and 53 jobs throughout the local Rail line duplication between Bendigo and Kyneton will be critical economy once operating. to support the growth of Bendigo and central Victoria, together When the Qantas service is operating and the terminal upgrade with any future fast rail or airport link plans. is complete, a range of economic benefits are expected through: • Increased income by growth in fee revenue supporting local employment

13 Healthy heart of Victoria

The success of a community can largely be attributed to how healthy it is. The City has identified a range of projects that will enhance the health and wellbeing of residents, which includes how we will manage our waste into the future.

Aged care funding Regional Resource Recovery Centre The City is seeking a commitment from the Australian Government A healthy, sustainable community requires a long term waste regarding reform to the aged care sector and future expectations management solution. of Local Government to deliver aged care services. The City operates the Eaglehawk Landfill, the last remaining Over the last few years, due to increasing costs and changing licenced landfill in the municipality, and the Heathcote, Australian and Victorian Government policy directions, the City Strathfieldsaye and transfer stations. has divested the following services: non-funded transport services, The Eaglehawk Landfill is due to reach capacity and close by Community Aged Care packages, Veterans Home Care service, 2021/2022, so alternative facilities need to be planned for, brokerage service, NDIS and HACCPYP clients, as well as stopping constructed and operational prior to this date, and the site for the delivery of weekend services. a new transfer station also needs to be identified. Councils’ funding agreements with the Australian Government Bendigo is the major generator of waste in the Loddon will expire by July 2020, however there are indications that this region. The City has more than 30 historical landfills, ranging deadline may be pushed back. This is creating some anxiety for from industrial-scale to makeshift backyard tips, which will need clients and staff. to be rehabilitated over the coming years and meet community Overall policy directions indicate a shift to a consumer-directed expectations and Environment Protection Authority standards. system of care, a nationally-consistent model and a competitive The cost breakdown is as follows: market-based model where Local Government will not be able to subsidise the service. Eaglehawk Landfill rehabilitation – $7.8M Should this occur, Local Government may not be in a financial Development of a new transfer station site – $9.5M position to provide the service. Under a market-based model, Separately, in August 2017 the Victorian Government Environment private or not-for-profit providers are unlikely to want to operate Minister approved the Loddon Mallee Waste and Resource Recovery in rural areas due to the distances that would need to be travelled Implementation Plan. This plan identified the need for a regional- to service clients and their resultant costs. scale waste facility within the southern area of the region, likely The City is concerned that a lack of clear direction regarding future a waste-to-energy option to maximise resource recovery for service models may have the potential to increase existing inequities municipal, commercial and industrial waste. in human service access for rural communities, leading to poorer Total project cost – $30M (approximately) health outcomes for already identified vulnerable clients. Australian Government – $12.5M For the Australian Government to confirm its future plans for aged Victorian Government – $12.5M care sector reform and expectations of Local Government, and Local Government – $5M outline expectations for consistent, adequate service delivery, particularly in rural areas.

15 Thriving regional communities

Greater Bendigo includes many productive agricultural areas and small towns and villages, such as Heathcote, , Huntly, , Elmore, Kamarooka, Lockwood, , Sebastian, Raywood, Mia Mia and Redesdale. They are renowned for their lifestyle, strong sense of community and the opportunities they provide for residents, visitors and businesses.

Industrial land development Heathcote Dementia Village business case The City is working with the Victorian Planning Authority Dementia is the single greatest cause of disability in older to develop a new Industrial Land Development Strategy. Australians. There are currently no dementia-only care facilities in Victoria. Heathcote is considered to be an ideal location to The need for industrial land is essential and urgent to support develop the village due to its proximity to natural and built central Victoria’s growing advanced manufacturing sector. The attractions and a major capital city and regional city, and local industry is valued at $2.2B per annum and is particularly ideal climate. innovative and specialised, exporting products to 50 countries around the world. A state-of-the-art dementia village would maximise the quality of life of dementia sufferers by providing a safe and stimulating The new strategy will build on the significant amount of work environment. At the same time the village would also serve as completed over the last 16 years planning for industrial land a research centre into medical breakthroughs to prevent future development. generations suffering from the disease. A business case would It is challenging to find appropriate sites, particularly for heavy investigate the provision of a 150-place dementia village, including industry looking to either expand or relocate to Greater Bendigo. a teaching/research/workforce development centre in Heathcote. The strategy will provide direction for the next 10, 20 and 30 years, The Heathcote Dementia Village Steering Committee has and its implementation will help secure jobs for a growing regional appointed a consultant to complete the first half of the feasibility population, retain important skills, reduce land use conflicts and study, which considers stakeholder identification, market analysis, take freight movements out of central Bendigo. concept and masterplan development, financial assessment, construction costs and risk analysis. The new Industrial Land Development Strategy will also allow the City to take more of a regional approach to the provision Additional funds would investigate Heathcote functioning as of industrial land. a dementia-friendly community, the green care model and university research functions. For the Australian Government to assist with the timely implementation of the Industrial Land Development Strategy Total project cost – $330,000 to secure employment for a growing population. Australian Government – $150,000 Victorian Government – $150,000  City of Greater Bendigo – $10,000  Other – $20,000 

= confirmed funding 17 Innovation

The pace of change today is the fastest it has ever been and the slowest it will ever be again. As a result of this change, it is a necessity for great cities to be constantly innovating. Bendigo has been a host for innovation since the gold rush began in 1851, with institutions like the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank leading the way. We need to be coming up with innovative solutions to issues like water, energy, transport and civic engagement into the future to realise our vision of liveability.

A City Deal for Bendigo A City Deal for Bendigo and the wider region will ensure that the heart of Victoria continues to develop as a place where people want to live, work, visit and invest because the pipeline of Continued investment in regional Australia infrastructure needed for a growing regional city will be built in a timely manner. The City appreciates the financial support provided by the Australian Government through the Financial Assistance Grants, Our City Deal proposition offers something unprecedented – it Roads to Recovery and the Building Better Regions Fund (and its encompasses the only current City Deal bid backed by a local predecessors). consortia model of governance, with strong local financial and intellectual investment. The proposal takes full advantage of These funding streams provide regional councils with the funds to the collaboration happening in Bendigo. The City Deal model deliver important, large-scale infrastructure projects and services for Bendigo and the wider region is also focussed on sharing the that are both necessary and welcomed. Councils are generally benefits of a stronger economy across the Bendigo population best placed to do this but need the financial support to do so. by strengthening skills, enhancing job prospects and reducing Recently, projects that have benefitted from such funding include unemployment. Discussions with Australian and Victorian the Echuca Moama Bridge, Ravenswood Interchange, Gurri Governments to date have been encouraging and constructive. Wanyarra Wellbeing Centre, the new Bendigo Airport runway For the Australian Government to work with the City and its partners and Bendigo Tennis Centre redevelopment. to negotiate and fund a City Deal that will secure the future of the Greater Bendigo region for decades to come.

19 Contact

P (03) 5434 6000 E [email protected] www.bendigo.vic.gov.au