Proposed Budget and Annual Plan 2020/2021

The Greater Bendigo City Council’s 2020/2021 proposed Budget and Annual Plan is available. 

The Budget is presented with the Annual Plan, as it represents Council’s plan for our community for the financial year. The Budget and Annual Plan work together in delivering on the six key goals outlined in the Greater Bendigo Community Plan 2017-2021:

• Lead and govern for all
• Wellbeing and fairness
• Strengthening the economy
• Presentation and managing growth
• Environmental sustainability
• Embracing our culture and heritage

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruption to the Greater Bendigo economy and put financial strain on many households and businesses. In responding to this pandemic, Council has been guided by the principles of supporting those experiencing hardship, social and economic support, long term community sustainability, operational efficiency and delivery of capital projects. 

Council has focused on identifying a range of initiatives to support our community and businesses that are impacted by COVID-19. This includes easing the financial strain on households and businesses by enabling deferral of payments and charges. It is important also for Council to allocate funding for infrastructure projects that will boost the economy and create local jobs.

The Budget includes a $43.5M capital works program that invests in projects that maintain and develop our infrastructure, and $193M in operating expenditure to continue funding important services for our community.

Highlights of the capital works program include commencement of a new pavilion at Kennington Recreation Reserve (Harry Trott Oval), stage 2 of the Bendigo Town Hall renewal, further work on the Bendigo Botanic Gardens central hub and the implementation of Stage 1 of the Wolstencroft Reserve Masterplan. Key sport projects include the construction of cricket nets at White Hills, a new shelter and soccer pitch renewal at Epsom Huntly Recreation Reserve, renewal of tennis courts at Eaglehawk and stage 1 of renewal works at Tom Flood oval.

Renewing existing civil infrastructure is another key Council responsibility and the proposed Budget 2020/2021 will see $11.4M spent on roads; $0.51M on bridges and $1.5M for drainage works across the municipality. Council will also invest $3.1M in footpaths and shared paths.

This year’s operating budget will continue to fund early years services, waste collection, street cleaning, maintenance of our fantastic parks, gardens and recreation facilities, environmental health, statutory planning, road maintenance, tourism and visitor services, Bendigo Art Gallery, The Capital and Ulumbarra theatres and much more. While some of these services have ceased or been restricted during the COVID-19 pandemic, the City has continued to provide essential services throughout this time. 

View the proposed Budget and Annual Plan 2020/2021.

Read media releases relating to the proposed Budget and Annual Plan 2020/2021.

Please note, submissions to the proposed Budget and Annual Plan 2020/2021 are now closed.