Council has adopted the 2025/2026 Budget marking a bold step forward with substantial investment in everyday infrastructure and transformative projects.
The City of Greater Bendigo 2025/2026 Budget marks a significant investment in both essential infrastructure and transformative projects across the region. Developed in tandem with the Council Plan 2025–2029, the budget reflects strategic alignment and extensive community engagement.
Key highlights include a $45 million redevelopment of the Bendigo Art Gallery, major upgrades to recreation reserves, and improvements to roads, footpaths, and public transport infrastructure. With a total value of $259 million, the budget balances fiscal responsibility with community priorities such as waste management, parks, and active transport, while maintaining service delivery and adhering to the State Government’s 3% rate cap.
Budget (2025-2026) Highlights
- The Bendigo Art Gallery redevelopment, stage 1
- Redevelopment Bendigo Bowls and Croquet Clubs
- Golden Square Recreation Reserve pavilion upgrade and renewal
- North Bendigo Recreation Reserve pavilion upgrade, stage 1
- Bendigo City Centre Strategic Cycling Corridor – Mundy Street (between Back Creek and McCrae Street, Bendigo)
- 4.4km Low Line Walking and Cycling Trail, between Golden Square and White Hills
- Heathcote Civic Precinct (incorporating Heathcote Library)
- Bendigo City Centre Strategic Cycling Corridor (Mundy Street between Back Creek and McCrae Street, Bendigo)
- 4.4km Low Line Walking and Cycling Trail between Golden Square and White Hills
- Six new footpaths including Carolyn Way (Monsants Road to Pratty’s Way, Maiden Gully), Simpsons Road (Hill Street to Burnside, Eaglehawk), Reserve Street (Eaglehawk to Bright Street), Mistletoe Street (Mackenzie Street west to Aspinall Street, Kangaroo Flat), Sparrowhawk Road (from 112 Stray Street to Humboldt Drive, Long Gully), and Midland Highway new footpath at Ligar Street (to bus stop), Huntly
- 14 footpath renewals including: High Street (Lily Street to Violet Street north, Bendigo), Spring Gully Road (Autumn Gully Road to school crossing, Spring Gully ), Violet Street (High Street to Creek Street North (west), Poplar Street (High Street to Panton south), Moran Street (Brown Street to No.3 west, View Street (Valentines Street to Langston Street east, Rowan Street (Short Street to Wattle Street south), Condon Street (Barwon Drive to Lambruk Street, Kennington), Victoria Street (Magazine Street to Grenfell Avenue, Eaglehawk), Averys Road, Parker Street to existing footpath
- 230 road renewals (including three road reconstructions and more than 200 road reseal/resurfacing sites or gravel re-sheeting). Sealed roads include Waratah Road and Midland Highway intersection traffic lights, major patching, raised pedestrian crossings, Howard Street, Epsom (between Bowles Road and the Bendigo Creek Bridge), Racecourse Road pavement and intersection upgrade, Mitchell Street, Axedale (road reconstruction from 54 Mitchell Street to Midland Highway), sealed car parks (renewal)
- Tram track renewal
- Roundabouts – Rowan Street and MacKenzie Street, Bendigo; Mackenzie Street and Forest Street, Bendigo, Howard Street new roundabout and pavement widening
- Raised pedestrian crossings: Mundy Street, Bendigo, Brougham Street, Bendigo, Galvin Street, Bendigo
- Bridge renewals: Thistle Street and Wade Street footbridge, Toolleen-Axedale bridge, Heathcote-East-Baynton Road, Mia Mia, Bridge Street and Hallam Street road bridges
- Bendigo Airport – street lighting, second runway(taxiway) renewal
- Bus shelter, Calder Highway at Maiden Gully
- Bus shelter replacement – Strathfieldsaye Road and Sullivans Road, Strathfieldsaye
- Trotting Terrace, Junortoun – four new streetlights
- Redevelopment of Bendigo Bowls and Croquet Clubs
- Golden Square Recreation Reserve pavilion upgrade and renewal
- North Bendigo Recreation Reserve pavilion upgrade, stage 1
- Strathfieldsaye Recreation Reserve – renew two netball courts, lighting, shelter and landscaping
- 4.4km Low Line Walking and Cycling Trail, between Golden Square and White Hills
- Bendigo City Centre Strategic Cycling Corridor – Mundy Street (between Back Creek and McCrae Street, Bendigo)
- Half-court basketball court at Heathcote Skate Park
- Heathcote tennis/netball courts and lighting renewal design
- Swimming pool equipment maintenance
- Malone Park, Marong oval lighting renewal, recreation reserve power upgrade and timekeeper’s box
- Kangaroo Flat Skate Park (design)
- BMX track drainage design, Eaglehawk
- Marist College Maiden Gully Cricket Nets (subject to grant funding)
- Queen Elizabeth Oval northwest corner redevelopment – investigation and design
- Strathdale Park tennis pavilion – site assessment and planning
- Four playspace renewals at Michie Street, Elmore, Osborn Avenue and Howell Crescent, Kangaroo Flat and Fairfield Boulevard, Jackass Flat
- Cooinda Park toilet block
- Garden Gully Reserve Master Plan will see a multi-year project that includes a new suburban level playspace at a new location, new toilet block facilities, improved parking and connecting paths to the Ironbark Gully Trail
- Crusoe Reservoir – replace butterfly valve (renewal)
- Bendigo Creek – Booth to High Street (north side) (renewal)
- Bendigo Creek – Back Creek to Nolan (north side) (renewal)
- Bendigo Creek – Chapel to Baxter (south side) (renewal)
- Back Creek – Williamson to Mundy Street (renewal)
- Development related drainage
- Stormwater quality works
- Flood mitigation waterway and drainage improvements
- Drainage (renewal)
- Heritage shelter renewal at Lake Weeroona
- Rosalind Park Conservatory timber and glazing replacement
- Bendigo Town Hall heating and cooling
- Refurbishment of fountains and water features (renewal)
- Statue and monument renewal
- Dudley House drainage (renewal)
- Accessibility upgrade for The Capital stage
- Tram track renewal
- 4.4km Low Line Walking and Cycling Trail, between Golden Square and White Hills
- Bendigo City Centre Strategic Cycling Corridor (Mundy Street (between Back Creek and McCrae Street, Bendigo)
- Feasibility study for Marong township and energy information sessions
- Faith Leech Aquatic Centre (design)
- Continued investment in biodiversity engagement in community
- Grow Towards Zero carbon offsetting revegetation program, Sutton Grange
- Bendigo Library lighting and amenity (renewal)
- Australian Manchester Unity Building, Eaglehawk – design work to develop 5-year renewal plan
- Bendigo Animal Relief Centre (kennel renewal)
- Tom Flood Park Road Hall amenity (renewal)
- Rosalind Park Conservatory timber and glazing replacement
- Bendigo Town Hall heating and cooling
- Lighting and audio equipment replacement for The Capital and Ulumbarra
- Accessibility ramp at The Capital stage
- Library book locker, Huntly Memorial Hall
- Maiden Gully Hall renewal – design and costing for future investment
- Former Marong Shire Hall renewal – concept plan and costing for future investment
- Marong Men’s Shed extension
- Long Gully Neighbourhood Centre renewal – concept plan and costing for future investment
Capital works projects map
Have your say about the budget
Have your say on things that matter to you. There are many ways to interact with the City throughout the year.
Community grants
Residents can make submissions through the City’s community grant programs. In the last financial year, 86 community groups were successful in receiving funding to help support their activities or projects. The City publicises when grants open and advice is available for those wishing to make a submission. These include a Community Group Essentials grant, small grant categories of up to $2,000, medium grants of up to $10,000. Other grants available through the program include Partnering for Impact and Community ($75,000 spread over three financial years)
Let's Talk Greater Bendigo
This is an online engagement platform that makes it easier for you to share your ideas and opinions on decisions, projects and services that will shape Greater Bendigo. If you sign up to Let’s Talk, you will receive regular updates on projects that you have provided feedback on and to find out how the project is progressing. Visit Let's Talk Greater Bendigo
Lodge a request with Customer Experience
You can contact the City’s Customer Service either by phone 1300 002 642, email [email protected] or lodge a request or in person at Galkangu – Bendigo Govhub or Heathcote Customer Service, 120 High Street Bendigo
Talk to us about things that matter to you such as community priorities or projects, initiatives and local infrastructure works. Information you provide to the City may assist with such as asset renewal priorities and maintenance works. This helps our engineering and asset maintenance units to plan and action asset renewals including footpaths, roads, drainage, playgrounds etc.
Listening Posts
Councillors hold Listening Posts which are a great way for Councillors to engage with the community. Residents are encouraged to come and meet their Councillors to discuss topics that matter to them.
Meet the Mayor
You can arrange an appointment to Meet the Mayor and discuss topics that are important to you. The scheduled times are usually promoted on our social media platforms. Please email [email protected]