Traffic and Transport Challenges in Bendigo Affect Daily Life and Community Wellbeing

Bendigo residents face longer commutes and increasing traffic congestion on key routes, interfering with access to vital services including the La Trobe University regional campus and Bendigo Health facilities. Transport delays are also raising concerns about the city’s environmental footprint and social inclusion.

Why Transport Issues Demand Urgent Attention

The past year has seen a notable rise in Bendigo’s population, with the city's estimated residents topping 120,000 in early 2026. This growth, combined with ongoing roadworks on McIvor Highway and strain on the Calder Freeway connecting Bendigo to Melbourne, has put additional pressure on the local transport network. For many, this has translated to peak-hour gridlock and unpredictable public transport timetables.

Local community groups and service providers warn that such disruptions are not just inconvenient but risk exacerbating social inequities. For example, residents in outer suburbs like Epsom and Eaglehawk rely heavily on bus services to reach jobs and essential health appointments at Bendigo Health's recent capital expansion on Arnold Street.

Moreover, the city's cultural and economic vitality-centred around the Bendigo Art Gallery and the La Trobe University campus-is increasingly vulnerable if accessibility and mobility issues go unaddressed.

Specific Local Impact and Response

The Bendigo Public Transport Community Forum, held in May 2026, highlighted the strain on routes servicing Spring Gully and Maiden Gully, where bus frequency drops after 7 pm, complicating shifts for workers and students attending evening classes at La Trobe.

Local businesses along Queen Street and the Golden Square area have reported reduced customer visits during construction phases on nearby infrastructure projects, such as the ongoing intersection upgrade at Nolan Street and Mitchell Street. Bendigo City Council has allocated $5.3 million in the 2026-27 budget for road improvements but acknowledges that these works may cause short-term disruptions.

Transport Victoria's latest statistics show that only 17% of Bendigo households used public transport for daily commutes in 2025, compared to 54% relying on private vehicles. This reliance increases pressure on main thoroughfares and raises local greenhouse gas emissions, adding urgency to improving both road and rail alternatives.

Environmental advocates also point to the Murray River catchment area needing protection from increased vehicular pollution, linking transport infrastructure decisions with broader sustainability goals.

Looking Ahead: What Residents Can Expect

In response to community feedback, Bendigo City Council and Transport Victoria plan to roll out a phased improvement program from late 2026, focusing on bus network enhancements including more frequent routes to outer suburbs and improved real-time service information.

Residents are advised to plan commutes around peak times where possible and to explore flexible work arrangements with employers. The council also encourages use of local cycling paths, particularly those connecting Kennington and Strathdale, as a viable alternative for short trips.

In the longer term, discussions are underway to extend the Regional Rail Link to improve connectivity to Melbourne and suburbs west of Bendigo, with funding considerations to be reviewed in the next state budget.