The Draft Greater Bendigo Lawn Bowls Facilities and Participation Plan consultation closed on 2 August 2026. Thank you to everyone who took the time to provide feedback through the survey, club meetings and written submissions.

The City of Greater Bendigo received 64 submissions, along with feedback from local bowls clubs, Bowls Victoria and the Youth Council. Overall, there was strong support for the strategic direction of the draft Plan and the need to support the long-term sustainability of lawn bowls across Greater Bendigo.

Key themes from the engagement included:

The feedback has been used to review and refine the draft plan prior to Council formally considering it for support and implementation. It is scheduled for the November 2026 Council meeting.

Having a plan in place will help to:

• Strengthen recognition of bowls clubs as important community hubs that deliver broader social and wellbeing benefits
• Strengthen actions supporting participation growth, inclusion and volunteer sustainability
• Improve clarity around implementation priorities and future decision-making processes
• Inform future investigations into a regional covered bowls facility, including site assessment and feasibility work
• Ensure future planning continues to consider accessibility, inclusion and community benefit outcomes

We have reviewed and refined the draft Plan, taking into consideration the feedback received through the engagement process.

The final draft Plan is scheduled to be considered by Council for adoption at the November 2026 meeting.

If adopted, the Plan will guide future planning, investment and advocacy relating to lawn bowls facilities and participation across Greater Bendigo.

Further engagement will be needed as individual projects and actions identified within the Plan are progressed, including future investigations into any proposed strategic facility investments and participation initiatives.