The City of Greater Bendigo is proud to present Bendigo 2050, a community-led vision for the future that will shape the next generation of growth, investment and opportunity across our region.
Part roadmap, part sales pitch, Bendigo 2050 outlines how Bendigo will continue to be a connected regional city that is rich in potential, big in ambition and ready for growth.
The strategy draws on insights from demographer Bernard Salt's presentation in November last year and a community leaders’ summit in March, where more than 70 leaders from across the region came together to identify the opportunities, priorities and investments needed for Bendigo to thrive in the decades ahead.
City CEO, Andrew Cooney, said Bendigo 2050 outlined the big ideas and catalyst projects that would drive Bendigo's development into a thriving, future-ready city of 200,000 people by 2050.
“Bendigo will look different in 2050 – we will have welcomed a further 75,000 people, we will need an additional 38,000 homes, almost one in three residents will be over 60, while almost one in four will be under 18,” Mr Cooney said.
“Bendigo 2050 focuses on enabling people to age well in place, supported by accessible healthcare, suitable housing, lifelong learning and career opportunities, and reliable infrastructure including digital connectivity and transport, and access to sustainable energy and water sources.
“We have a strong platform for growth. Bendigo is already home to a world-class public hospital with ambitions to become a tertiary health service within the next decade, leading education institutions La Trobe University and Bendigo TAFE are preparing the workforce of tomorrow, and the headquarters of Bendigo Bank, Australia's fifth-largest bank, is in our city centre.
“Combined with ongoing private sector investment, particularly in manufacturing, these strengths position our city to attract investment, create jobs and seize the opportunities of future growth.
“Importantly, we want young people to see a future for themselves in Bendigo, a place where they can build rewarding careers, progress into leadership roles and access opportunities typically associated with larger capital cities.
“And for those seeking a tree change, Bendigo offers the chance to take on meaningful and challenging leadership roles while enjoying the benefits of a thriving regional city and strong community connections.
“The big, city-shaping projects to come include establishing the Bendigo Regional Employment Precinct, a strategic approach to water security, increasing our community’s resilience to a changing climate, and creating an enabling environment to deliver the mix of housing we will need.
“Bendigo 2050 represents the ambitions of our community. Shaped by industry, government and community leaders, it reflects a strong commitment to championing a future full of choice and opportunity.”
The next steps of Bendigo 2050 will involve forming a governance group of local leaders to drive the strategy’s implementation and advocacy to other levels of government and the private sector.
To view Bendigo 2050, visit: