News

Fireworks and Animal Activities at City Led Events Update

8 August 2024

On this page:

Community feedback was open from Monday, July 8, 2024 and closed Monday, July 29, 2024 at 5pm. All feedback is now being reviewed.

  • 3874 survey responses received

    The total of survey responses received made this project the highest engagement the City has received since the Let's Talk platform was introduced.

  • Increased knowledge of Let's Talk

    This project has increased the awareness of Let's Talk. Directing community on where to go to be able to provide feedback on projects that are seeking community feedback. This has been a positive of this engagement project.

  • Information available in Council meeting minutes
  • Let's Talk email campaign which is received by community members registered on Let's Talk
  • Social media posts on the City’s Facebook and Instagram accounts, and CONNECT Greater Bendigo Facebook account reaching over a combined 30 thousand people
  • Advertisement in Bendigo Times
  • Advertisement in McIvor Times
  • Additional Advertisement in Bendigo Advertiser
  • Staff attended the Bendigo Farmers Market
  • Promotion included in City’s weekly e-newsletter
  • Information provided to Neighbourhood Centres to promote to community
  • Staff attended the Australian Sheep and Wool Show
  • Information shared with community organisations, including schools to share with families, stakeholders and community
  • 250 flyers distributed to community members, neighbourhood houses, local organisations with QR code to the surveys

Questions you asked

Why did you ask for our suburb or town and our age?

Asking for your suburb and age allowed the City to see if we were hearing from community from across the City and from different age groups. The aim was to get responses from the broadest range of community as possible. Representation from community across the entire City of Greater Bendigo was achieved. All age brackets were represented in the feedback received.

Why are you doing the surveys?

As mentioned in the project description, the City was required to do the engagement project. The request to engage with community was made by a Councillor at the May 2024 Council meeting. Because it was a Council motion, the City had to action the request.

The difference between the City and Council:

When we refer to the City or City of Greater Bendigo, it is referring to the organisation. This includes the staff, services, projects, infrastructure, programs etc.

When we refer to Council, this means all the Councillors collectively. A Councillor is an individual member of Council.

Animal Activities Feedback

Community feedback on the animal activities was open from Monday, July 8, 2024 and closed Monday, July 29, 2024. Feedback is now being reviewed. Further information on animal activities will be provided, including an outcome, after the September Council meeting.

  • 2448 survey responses

    Of the 3874 surveys completed, 2448 were for the animal activities.

Questions you asked about animal activities

Why are City staff handling animals at these events?

City staff are not providing the animal activities. It is the registered owner of the business, and their staff who manage the animals activities. This includes transportation, setting up, and care of the animals. There will be City staff assisting at the events, but they are not handling the animals.

Who pays for the animal activities?

The activities at the Funloong Children's event and the Play in the Garden event are provided through grant funding and sponsorships. The animal activities provided at the Easter Festival do not incur an expenses to the City.

Firework Displays Feedback

Feedback on the fireworks displays was open from Monday, July 8, 2024 and closed Monday, July 29, 2024.

Feedback is now being reviewed. Further information on fireworks displays will be provided, including an outcome, after the September Council meeting.

  • 1426 survey responses

    Of the 3874 surveys completed, 1426 were for the fireworks displays.

Questions you asked about fireworks displays

Does this include the firecrackers for the awakening of the dragon?

An update was made on July 16, 2024 to clarify that the Easter fireworks display was only referring to the fireworks that are displayed in the sky at the end of the torchlight procession and organised by the City. Activities relating to the Bendigo Chinese Association and its use of firecrackers for cultural celebrations and displays are not part of this community consultation.

What happens now?

A report will be presented to Councillors at the Council meeting on September 16, 2024. A news update will be made to inform the community of the outcome and any other relevant information. If you would like to receive an email notification when the news update is published, please click the project 'Follow' button on the projects main page.

You can read the September Council Meeting Agenda for information on this project being presented to COuncil.

Read September Council Meeting Agenda
Return to the project homepage