Budget 2023/2024 invests in rural areas and small towns

The City of Greater Bendigo’s 2023/2024 Budget will fund various projects in rural areas and small towns across the municipality. 
 
Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said the Budget included a range of projects to improve everyday living and maintain important community infrastructure in rural areas and smaller towns. 
 
“These projects will be very beneficial for smaller communities, including renewal programs for landmark community buildings and improvements to public spaces,” Cr Metcalf said. 
 
The Budget includes:
 

  • A Changing Places facility on High Street, Heathcote at Barrack Reserve to improve accessibility 
  • Funding for multi-year upgrade works at Midland Highway, including traffic signals at Waratah Road intersection, as part of the Huntly Development Contributions Plan 
  • Design shared paths for Rennie Street and Gungurru Street, Huntly, and funding for internal upgrades at Huntly Public Hall  
  • Huntly Shire Office renewal 
  • Detailed design for a Bendigo Creek levee from Racecourse Creek at Midland Highway to Leans Road, Huntly (including a shared path) 
  • Work will begin on the Maiden Gully Recreation Reserve Tennis Pavilion, shelter, storage and toilet works, tennis lighting and hard surface renewal.  
  • Maiden Gully Public Hall re-rendering and mudbrick wall painting 
  • Subject to external funding, stage one of a new Marong kindergarten as part of a multi-year investment in a community hub 
  • Interior renewal project at Marong Historic Council Chamber  
  • Axedale Kindergarten and Axedale Public Hall scope and design for amenity upgrades and car park improvements  
  • As part of the Strathfieldsaye Town Centre Urban Design Framework, a shared path project will progress design and works for vegetated open public space between Wellesley Street and Apsley Lane 
  • Multi-year funding continues at Strathfieldsaye Club Court to improve facilities 
  • Elmore Community Hub kitchen cabinetry upgrade and floor covering 
  • Lockwood South Public Hall external painting completion project 
  • Kamarooka Hall renewal 
  • Annual three year funding commitment to Neighbourhood Houses in Heathcote and Marong   

Rural areas will benefit from $3.9M in funding for unsealed roads renewals, which will occur across the municipality. 

A new environmental program will also benefit rural landowners. 
 
“To combat climate change, the Budget is funding a Sustainable Land Management Program that will deliver education and engagement activities. A small number of grants will be available for rural landowners to achieve positive environmental outcomes on their land,” Cr Metcalf said. 
 
“Various priorities for rural and small areas are considered alongside the funding of new multi-year projects, recreational facilities and the maintenance for $2.5B worth of assets.” 
 
To view the adopted Budget and for more information, head to: https://www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/About/Budget

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