Bendigo commercial projects point to expanding local employment pathways

Stage one of Prime Urban Group’s $55 million Prime Business Park in East Bendigo has finished, delivering more than 10,000 square metres of flexible workspace and capacity for up to 250 workers, with early works on stage two already moving forward.

Bendigo’s industrial vacancy sits at 0.5 percent against Melbourne’s 2 percent average, a gap that is pulling fresh investment into commercial sites and prompting questions about how the added floor space will translate into hiring patterns and talent needs.

Projects adding floor space across key locations

Forty percent of the Prime Business Park spaces have already leased, while separate proposals include a four-storey office building with penthouse at 52 Queen Street in the CBD and a $12 million retail hub at the Midland Highway and Howard Street intersection in Epsom. The former Bendigo Mining Exchange at 24-26 Pall Mall has also drawn developer interest for mixed retail, office or residential use after its sale.

Low vacancy and leasing activity shape workforce outlook

The tight 0.5 percent vacancy rate has already supported leasing momentum at the East Bendigo site, where initial occupancy signals immediate demand for staff in professional and light-industrial roles. Greater Bendigo records show an estimated $1.6 billion pipeline of commercial and industrial projects scheduled to start between 2024 and 2026, with 270 major projects advancing. These figures indicate sustained construction activity that typically requires both on-site trades and longer-term operational hires once buildings open.

Council records confirm the Epsom retail application remains early in assessment, leaving timing for any associated retail positions uncertain. Developers continue to review options at the Pall Mall site, which could add further mixed-use space and associated employment once plans advance. Local businesses seeking staff may monitor leasing updates from Prime Urban Group and council decisions on the Queen Street and Epsom proposals to anticipate when new roles become available.