Following severe rainfall and flood events in October 2022 and summer 2023-2024, the City of Greater Bendigo (City) has been working to support the Goornong and district community’s recovery and explore practical approaches to community preparedness and resilience. Since late 2024, City staff have been working closely with the Goornong and District Emergency Planning Group (GDEPG) to support emergency preparedness and resilience initiatives in the district.

The City continues to engage fortnightly with GDEPG to progress community recovery and preparedness initiatives and discuss emerging issues.

Three Goornong and District Community Emergency and Waterways Workshops are being held from November 2025 to April 2026. These sessions give locals the chance to discuss how emergencies - including floods, fires, and heatwaves - impact them and to help shape future planning.

The Workshop 1 report is available to read.

Workshop 2, focused on flooding, will be held on February 19, 2026 at Bagshot Public Hall. Register for Workshop 2.

The final workshop in April 2026 will bring everything together to shape a community action plan.

Visit the Goornong Flood Study page for more details.

Key information about flood recovery can be found in the flood recovery FAQs on our Let's Talk Flood and Waterways Studies page.

The November 2025 workshop identified several themes requiring responses from the City and other agencies. Key points are summarised below; remaining items will be addressed in upcoming workshops.

GDEPG requested that Workshop 2 be held later in 2026; however, timing is constrained by Federal and State funding, consultant and staff availability and project timelines. Updates will continue to be shared, and community members can still contribute via the Goornong Flood Study survey and map on Let’s Talk, or by contacting GDEPG on goornongdistrictepg@outlook.com to contribute to emergency planning.

The City seeks to take a collaborative approach to community recovery and emergency preparedness and has worked closely with GDEPG to support several recovery initiatives. City recovery staff and programs rely on limited State and Federal funding, and future engagement will broaden as needs evolve.

Community members are encouraged to create household emergency plans that suit their specific needs.

Helpful resources include:

• Supporting infants and children in disasters: A practice guide - Emerging Minds
• Disaster Resilience Education for Young People Handbook
• Birdie's Tree
• Emergency Preparedness Guide - Australian Red Cross
• During an emergency - City of Greater Bendigo

Information about Fosterville Gold Mine’s community role, water quality impacts and regulatory processes is available on their website:

• Good Neighbour Guide
• Sustained Operations Project

Regulatory process for mining in Victoria is detailed on the Resources Victoria website.

Outputs from the Goornong Flood Study will be publicly available and shared with Fosterville.

Emergency services (000) manage threats to life or property. The City provides emergency relief as directed by the Incident Controller (leading the emergency response). General enquiries can be directed to the City's customer service team.

Staff are also available to attend community meetings and meet regularly with GDEPG, aiming to improve communication flow between community and the City.

Phone trees remain a useful tool for sharing information and staying connected during emergencies. Communities may wish to incorporate them into local plans.

Major works require assessment by multiple agencies, including NCCMA and City planning. Planning processes involve technical specialists and are outlined on the City’s website.

The City apologises for the delayed response. This signage replacement was missed in the 2025 works schedule, but the rapid response team will audit and address this in February.

This item was discussed by SES and CFA Goornong brigade members in February 2025 and remains an operational matter between the two agencies.

We acknowledge the maps provided in the first workshop didn’t meet the expectations of GDEPG. Flood study boundaries follow catchments, not administrative boundaries. While the boundary cannot be changed, people outside the study area can still participate in workshops and preparedness activities.

It is normal to experience strong emotions after emergencies. Support is available for mental health, financial issues, insurance, legal matters and tenancy. More information is available on the City's website.

Bagshot’s ring levee is a demonstration project and guidance material is being prepared. Ring levees require approval from both NCCMA and the City due to potential impacts on flood behaviour and environmental values.

The City recognises the desire for practical actions. Flood recovery is complex and involves mitigation works, understanding flood behaviour, agency collaboration and strengthening community resilience. Workshop participation is optional; feedback can also be provided through the Goornong Flood Study.

The culverts and bridges under the train line have been included in the Goornong Flood Study to confirm the role they play during flooding. Results are pending and will be shared with VicTrack, V/Line and the Department of Transport.

Many homes were built before modern planning information existed (Planning), and climate change has increased flood risk. Planning processes are explained on the City’s website. The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) resolves disputes and makes decisions.

This is an option the community may wish to explore. More information is available from Resilient Lismore, Echo and the Victorian 2022 Flood Inquiry.

Local flood guides for Goornong are currently being developed. For more information refer to the SES website.