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Be part of a community panel

We are looking for 40 people who reflect our diverse community to put their hand up for the 2025 Community Panel!

The panel will play an important role in developing priorities and ideas that will guide the next four-year Council Plan. The Council Plan is how our new Councillors agree their priorities for the next 4 years. The Council Plan then guides all the work that the Council does – so it’s an important time to have your voice heard.

The Panel is being held in Bendigo city centre on 13-16 March 2025.

We want the panel to represent our community – so please put your hand up!

All Greater Bendigo residents 16 years and over are invited to register their interest. We’re looking for people who love their community and want to help create solutions and new ideas.

Even if you’ve never taken part in a community group, now is the time to make your voice heard.

You’ll need to provide your name, contact details, gender, age group, the area where you live, and if you live with a disability or identify as First Nations. This information will be kept private and secure. The panel will be anonymously selected from people who register.

To make sure we have a mix of people from all walks of life, we will select people to be on the panel that represent our community across age, gender, cultural background and where they live.

We will assist with costs like transport, parking and childcare. You can bring a support person and people under 18 years will need an adult guardian to provide consent. We will provide meals, snacks, and tea/coffee/water. The venue is accessible, and you are welcome to visit the venue before the panel. We are happy to discuss adjustments you might need. Please register as the first step.

How to register

The panel will represent our community. To make sure we have a mix of people from all walks of life, we will ask you some questions about yourself.

We will remove your name and contact details before choosing panel members.

By completing this form, you agree for us to use your gender, age group, suburb of residence and cultural background to select the panel.

Register for the community panel

Put your hand up to help shape the next Council Plan

Frequently Asked Questions

‘Deliberative engagement’ is a community meeting held over a few days. The panel members learn about things that matter to you, ask questions of experts, and debate current opportunities. The members then work together to share ideas and recommendations with the Mayor, Councillors and the City of Greater Bendigo CEO.

The Victorian State Government requires all Councils to hold a deliberative panel as part of writing the Council Plan.

Anyone who registers will have a chance of being on the panel. To make sure we have a mix of people from all walks of life, we will select people to be on the panel that represent our community across age, gender, cultural background and where they live.

People registering for the panel need to be able to attend four in-person meetings, held in the Bendigo city centre on:

  • Intro session: 4pm-6pm Thursday 13 March 2025
  • Meeting 1: Friday (10am-4pm) 14 March 2025
  • Meeting 2: Saturday (10am-4pm) 15 March 2025
  • Meeting 3: Sunday (10am-4pm) 16 March 2025

Expert facilitator, Amy Hubbard, will host the panel to ensure a safe, fun, and inclusive setting for all members.

You can bring a support person and people under 18 years will need to bring an adult guardian. We will assist with costs like transport and parking. We will provide meals, snacks, and tea/coffee/water.

The venue is accessible - you are welcome to visit to check accessibility arrangements before the panel. We are happy to discuss help or adjustments you might need and ask you to register as a first step.

You can register online here or call our customer service centre on 1300 002 642.

You get to actively take part in leading your community and get a chance to talk directly to the Mayor, Councillors and CEO about issues that affect your community. We will be providing a safe and welcoming setting to get to know other people working to improve our community.

Members will receive a $100 gift voucher to thank them for their time and effort.

Councillors will consider the conversations and recommendations from the panel before making their final decision on what is in the Council Plan, the Municipal Health and Wellbeing Plan, the Long-Term Financial Plan, and the Asset Plan.

Timeline

  • Timeline item 1 - active

    Community Panel expressions of interest

    November 2024 - February 2025

  • Timeline item 2 - incomplete

    Panel members selected and contacted

    Late February 2025

  • Timeline item 3 - incomplete

    Community Panel

    March 13 to March 16, 2025

  • Timeline item 4 - incomplete

    Draft Council Plan open for feedback

    March 31 - April 14, 2025

  • Timeline item 5 - incomplete

    Council Plan finalised

    May 2025

Contact us

Have questions or want to learn more about a project, contact us below:

Name Megan O'Donnell
Phone 1300 002 642
Email isp@bendigo.vic.gov.au