The City of Greater Bendigo is inviting residents, businesses, schools, and organisations to take part in a survey on the local public holiday arrangements starting from 2027.
Under the Public Holidays Act 1993, local governments outside Melbourne can apply to swap Melbourne Cup Day with a local public holiday.
In the past, the City has applied for approval to make Bendigo Cup Day its local public holiday. This usually falls on the Wednesday before Melbourne Cup Day.
This local public holiday only applies to the part of the municipality that is west of the Campaspe River. The part of the municipality that is east of the Campaspe River, including Heathcote, observes Melbourne Cup Day public holiday.
Approval for a local public holiday is usually granted for five years at a time. The City's previous approval ended last year on October 29, 2025.
Corporate Performance Director Angela Hays said the City applied for an extension in 2026 so public consultation on the local public holiday could take place for a longer-term decision.
“The City was granted an extension from the Victorian Government on June 11, 2026, allowing Bendigo Cup Day to continue this year. It will be held on Wednesday October 28, 2026," Angela said.
"This one-year extension gives us more time to ask the community which day they would prefer starting from 2027 – Bendigo Cup, Bendigo Show Day or Melbourne Cup Day.
“Residents need to be aware that this survey only applies to the part of Greater Bendigo that is west of the Campaspe River – this is the area that has a local public holiday to date.
"Approval for a local public holiday is generally granted for five years at a time, so it is important that a broad cross-section of the community complete the survey including residents, businesses and a variety of organisations from across Greater Bendigo.”
Community members are being asked to choose only one option from three provided (to be applied in 2027):
- Stay the same - continue with the Bendigo Cup Day local public holiday for the part of the municipality that is west of the Campaspe River (typically the last Wednesday in October)
- Change - to change the local public holiday to Bendigo Show Day for the part of the municipality that is west of the Campaspe River (typically around the fourth Friday in October)
- Change - have the entire Greater Bendigo municipality observe Melbourne Cup Day (the first Tuesday in November)
“It is important to ensure all community views are captured on the City’s Let’s Talk Greater Bendigo where the survey results, various sentiments, and comments are received and collected in one place,” Angela said.
"Survey responses and comments submitted through Let’s Talk will be provided to Councillors to help inform their decision on local public holiday arrangements from 2027 at a future Council meeting.”
The survey closes on Sunday August 9, 2026. To complete the survey, visit Let’s Talk Greater Bendigo: