Creating healthy and liveable places and spaces was identified as a top priority from the community during consultation late last year and is a key theme in the Council Plan.

There is a $2.09M investment to improve the City’s open spaces:

• New shared paths and trails will see delivery of stage one of the Ironbark Gully Trail, between Nolan Street and Holmes Road
• Starting with design work, commence the multi-year Bendigo Low Line separated walking/cycling network between Golden Square and Lake Weeroona
  
• Investment over two Budget years in the Emu Creek underpass at Strathfieldsaye
  
• Municipal Baths redevelopment work begins in line with the Rosalind Park Recreation Reserve Precinct Master Plan
  
• Work begins on a multi-year Strathfieldsaye Town Square project and shared path between Wellesley Street and Apsley Lane, as part of implementing the Strathfieldsaye Town Centre Urban Framework
• Design shared paths for Rennie Street and Gungurru Street, Huntly
• Construction of new concrete footpaths in various priority locations
  
• Commence a multi-year upgrade of the Midland Highway/Waratah Road with traffic signals

• Complete stage one of the Bendigo Airport redevelopment, including an upgraded terminal building
• Complete the Bendigo Tramways workshop expansion
  
• Support the Victorian Planning Authority to prepare a master plan for the Bendigo Regional Employment Precinct in Marong

The Budget includes a range of initiatives to protect the region’s environment and progress with actions to achieve zero emissions in Greater Bendigo by 2030.

• A contribution to a local carbon offset pilot program
• Progress electrification projects at City-owned sites
• Promote biodiversity community engagement to support Landcare and other environmental activities in the community
• A sustainable land management education program for landowners with small grants available

• Begin detailed design for a Bendigo Creek levee from Racecourse Creek at Midland Highway to Leans Road in Huntly including a shared path
• Rehabilitation works at Bendigo Creek near Weeroona Avenue in White Hills
  
• Stage two funding for the reservoir dam wall at Kennington
• Stage two in-stream Bendigo Creek works

Recreation facilities play a key role in bringing the community together and this Budget completes some multi-year investment commitments for growing communities.

• Final stage funding ($3.5M) for the shared Mercy Junortoun Sporting Precinct, which is close to completion
  
• Complete the concept design for the Quarry Hill Recreation Reserve pavilion (Ken Wust)
• Improve accessibility and upgrades to facilities at Red Energy Arena (Bendigo Stadium)
  
• Multi-year funding continues at Strathfieldsaye Club Court with $1.6M to improve facilities
• Tom Flood Sport Centre fencing, gates and lighting
• Maiden Gully Recreation Reserve Tennis Pavilion shelter, storage and toilet works, tennis lighting and hard surface renewal
• Bendigo Tennis Centre lighting renewal

The Budget includes $36M in renewal capital works, including:

• $10M for sealed roads
• $3.9M for unsealed roads
• $2.6M for drainage works
• $2.1M for works on footpaths and shared paths.
• $6.9M for buildings

• Establish a secure annual grants program over the next three years to support Neighbourhood Houses in Eaglehawk, Heathcote, Kangaroo Flat, Long Gully, Marong, and Bendigo
• Subject to external funding, stage one for a new Marong kindergarten is earmarked as part of a multi-year investment for a community township hub
  
• A Changing Places accessibility facility on High Street, Heathcote
  
• Funding to address non-compliant disabled car parking, pedestrian crossings, and footpaths
• Cooinda Park public toilet renewal to improve accessibility
• Subject to external funding, design plans are earmarked to extend Spring Gully kindergarten
• Play space renewals at Prouses Road, North Bendigo; Akoonah Drive, Golden Square; Long Gully Neighbourhood House; and Melbury Court, Epsom

• Implement wayfinding technology to assist drivers with locating vacant parking bays in the city centre
• Implementation of software to improve the City’s overall cyber security and increase data protection
• Deliver a new user-friendly City website and develop a customer portal for improved customer experience

Small increases in fees and charges are necessary to adequately service the needs of the community and respond to rising costs.

Waste management charges will see a small rise to cover increased costs for this service. The City does not make a profit from any general waste and recovery services, which includes organics and recycling activities, the landfill and transfer stations. For most properties, the waste charge will increase by $27 per property ($16 for general waste, $5.50 for recycling and $5.10 for organics) in the next financial year.

Parking will see an hourly parking fee change from $1.90 per hour to $2.10 per hour. The daily rate will change from $6.70 to $7.20. Parking initiatives in the new financial year will invest in wayfinding technology via an app to assist drivers to locate vacant parking bays in the city centre. More smart parking meters will also be installed.

“Consumer Price Index (CPI) increases to fees have been applied across most City fees. These fee increases are not intended to make up lost revenue from previous years where fees were frozen due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but rather to reinstate annual increases,” Ms Howard said.