News

International Engagement Strategy - What we heard

23 April 2026

Community engagement on the International Engagement Strategy closed on March 27, 2026. Thank you to everyone who took part. We received 52 responses.

Most people said international connections are important for Bendigo’s future. However, many felt Bendigo’s current connections are limited and not always needed.

People most often linked Bendigo’s international connections to:

  • Culture
  • Gold history
  • Food, including our UNESCO Creative City and Region of Gastronomy designation
  • Chinese heritage

How Bendigo should connect internationally

People said the best ways for Bendigo to connect internationally are through:
  • Tourism and major events

  • Attracting skilled workers

  • Sharing our arts, culture and food

Many people said these are areas Bendigo already does well and could share more widely.

Concerns about international connections

Around half of respondents expressed concerns about increasing international connections. The main concerns were

  • Cost
  • Wanting the City to focus more on local priorities, such as services and infrastructure

Most people think the City should connect partners and organisations, not lead international activity.

Business perspectives

Local businesses highlighted that international markets affect them through:

Some businesses said international markets increase profits, while others said they reduce them.

Key themes

Common themes across responses were that the strategy should:

  • Have a strong local focus
  • Give particular attention to food, sustainability and multicultural communities
​Overall, people want Bendigo to be known for:
  • Cultural diversity

  • Strong community connections

  • Arts, culture and food

  • Being a great place to visit

Next steps

Your feedback will help us draft the International Engagement Strategy. The Strategy will guide how the City does international engagement. This includes:

  • Investment
  • Trade
  • Work force
  • Education
  • Visitation
  • Strategic partnerships

The draft strategy will go to a future Council meeting for adoption.