About the Greater Bendigo Climate Collaboration

To reduce climate-changing emissions across the Greater Bendigo area and the wider Loddon Campaspe region to zero by 2030.

• To bring together different sectors of Greater Bendigo to create and enhance city-scale climate projects
• To bring together regional stakeholders to identify, collaborate on and advocate for regional climate projects
• To host a nationally significant Greater Bendigo Climate Summit that puts our city on the path to zero emissions
• To create significant local and regional economic development opportunities from climate action
• To deliver a project that supports Aboriginal self-determination in practice by advancing Traditional Owner values and aspirations for healing Country
• To turn this three-year project into an ongoing climate collaboration up to 2030
• To build a movement that supports people, communities and businesses in Greater Bendigo and the broader region to collaborate towards zero emissions
• To assist homes and businesses to act on climate change in the short term and to move to zero impact by 2030

• Common interests: We recognise that responding to climate change and environmental sustainability is everyone’s business. 
• Environmental justice: the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, colour, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.  
• Innovation: We are committed to building a movement and to supporting radical local climate action commensurate with the scale required to reverse climate change.  
• Sustainability: We are committed to sustainability in all aspects of our work together, in the processes we use and the outcomes we deliver. 
• Shared leadership: We are committed to leading together on climate change. We recognise that creating and advocating for a zero emissions city is the shared responsibility of the people and organisations of Greater Bendigo.  
• Working in partnerships: We work as partners with our community, with businesses, schools and organisations and across our region. As partners we listen, respect and encourage participation.     
• Strengths-based approach: We are active participants and are committed to bringing all our resources and influencing opportunities to the project. Everybody contributes and does their bit. We focus on solutions and we build on existing work and achievements.  
• Shared learning: We bring all we know, including our expertise and experience of what has worked in other collaborations to the project and share our learnings. We are committed to constantly reviewing what works and what doesn’t to maximise climate action and emissions reductions, and to change our approach accordingly. 
• Climate change in all policies, programs and projects: We are committed to taking climate action at all levels including in our own households, businesses and other areas of influence and to ensuring a climate action lens and the pursuit of zero emissions is front and centre of our lives. 
• Traditional Owners central in climate action on Country: We are committed to an overarching principle of Traditional Owner empowerment that connects all areas, partners and projects within the Climate Collaboration.

Our Governance Group guides the strategic direction and delivery of the Greater Bendigo Climate Collaboration. Governance Group members include representatives of the following organisations:

• City of Greater Bendigo
• Dja Dja Wurrung Aboriginal Clans Corporation
• Bendigo and Adelaide Bank
• RACV Solar
• Agnico Eagle
• La Trobe University
• Coliban Water
• DEECA
• Bendigo Youth Council
• Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance
• Be.Bendigo
• Bendigo Sustainability Group

Partners provide expertise, experience, resources and financial support

• Collaboration lead: City of Greater Bendigo
• Major Partners: Agnico Eagle, RACV Solar
• Founding Partners: Bendigo Bank, Coliban Water, La Trobe University
• Premium Partners: North Central Catchment Management Authority, CVGT Australia
• Community Partners: Bendigo Sustainability Group, ACF Community Bendigo District, Bike Bendigo, Bendigo Foodshare

The GBCC Team works from the City of Greater Bendigo offices. It includes:

• Collaboration Co-ordinator: Ian McBurney
• Senior Climate projects Officer: Verity Lougoon
• Climate Change Engagement Officer: Jessica Morthorpe
• Climate Change Engagement Officer: Genevieve Barlow
• Team Manager: Michelle Wyatt. Manager, Climate Change and Environment Unit

The Greater Bendigo Climate Collaboration is aiming to set Greater Bendigo on the path to zero emissions by 2030. 

In 2022, the Collaboration:

• established a Governance Group and employed a project team
• ran forums on renewable energy and transport (which collectively cover 80% of the City’s emissions)
• engaged with faith leaders, the development industry, community service organisations and the business sector
• engaged at least 500 people in workshops and focus groups. 

2023 will be a big year for acting on climate emissions across Greater Bendigo. In 2023 the Collaboration will:

• Further engage our community to gain input into emission reduction opportunities across Greater Bendigo 
• Run a Regional Zero Emissions Forum on March 16 in Castlemaine
• Draft and finalise Zero Emissions Roadmaps for Greater Bendigo Land the wider region 
• Roll out the Beat the Power Bills support program for businesses. 
• Support schools and households with climate action plans
• Host the Greater Bendigo Climate Summit on May 26 and 27.