Greening Greater Bendigo
Shaping a Greener Greater Bendigo
Urban trees and green spaces are essential to creating a liveable community. They provide shade and cool urban areas, promote physical and mental wellbeing, improve our natural environment and enhance our local character.
The City of Greater Bendigo is developing a strategy to increase tree cover across Greater Bendigo's urban areas and townships. The Greening Greater Bendigo strategy will identify priority areas for tree planting and greening projects as well as protecting the trees and green spaces the community value.
A draft strategy and action plan will be prepared for Council for consideration in June 2019 before going on display for public comment.
Project update
Download a copy of a project update for February 2019 here.
Community engagement
Community engagement activities in September-October 2018 had a great response with over 1,000 people participating in our online CrowdSpot interactive survey, attending community meetings or stopping by one of our listening posts.
View the full report on the community engagement outcomes here.
The outcomes of the community engagement exercise will help inform the development of Greening Greater Bendigo and accompanying action plan to shape future tree planting and greening initiatives throughout Bendigo. The information gathered through community engagement will help:
- Shape the vision for Greening Greater Bendigo
- Identify and celebrate the trees and green spaces the community value so we can determine how best to protect and enhance them
- Identify the community’s priorities for more tree planting and greening
The community engagement period is now closed however you can sign up to our mailing list below to receive regular project updates. You can also contact us at [email protected]
When ready, a draft strategy and action plan will be released for public comment.
The development of an Urban Forest Strategy for Greater Bendigo was first identified as flagship project 2 in Council’s Environment Strategy endorsed in 2016 and is listed as an action of Council’s current Community Plan 2017-2021.
- Goal 4: Presentation and managing growth. 4.4.3. Increase urban shade and provide protection for significant and heritage trees through the development of a Greater Bendigo Tree Strategy.
There are many environmental, social and economic reasons to increase tree cover and greening efforts in urban areas.
The main driver of a greening strategy for Greater Bendigo is the need to adapt to a changing climate to ensure that Bendigo realises its vision to be the world’s most liveable community in a warmer, drier and increasingly urbanised environment.
The strategy aims to:
- Maintain liveability in a changing climate
- Connect the community to nature
- Integrate green and grey infrastructure
- Celebrate the identity and enhance the aesthetic of Greater Bendigo's urban areas and townships
- Enhance biodiversity in urban areas
The results of this survey will inform the development of Greening Greater Bendigo Strategy and subsequent precinct plans to shape future tree planting and greening initiatives.
This information will help;
- Shape the vision for Greening Greater Bendigo
- Identify and celebrate the trees and green spaces the community value so we can determine how best to protect and enhance them.
- Identify the community’s priorities for more tree planting and greening.
A draft strategy and action plan will be prepared for Council for consideration in June 2019 before going on display for public comment.
Greening Greater Bendigo Photo Competition
Congratulations to our place getters of our photographic competition!
Open Category
1st - Felicity Johnson, Goornong
2nd - A. Gladman, Axedale
Primary Category
1st - Thomas Keane, Shelbourne
2nd - Ava, Quarry Hill
Winners and runners up recieved $100 and $50 vouchers respectively for McDonalds plant nursery.
Entrants were asked to submit a photo of their favourite tree or green space in Bendigo and tell us in 50 words or less why the love it.
All entries were on display at the Bendigo Library from November 1 to 14, 2018.
Mailing list
If you would you like to receive updates on the progress of the strategy and more ways to be involved please fill out the form below.
Contact us
If you have any questions about Greening Greater Bendigo please contact the City on 03 5434 6000.