Voices from Affected Community Members on Greater Bendigo Council Updates

The Greater Bendigo Council unanimously approved its $280 million 2026/27 budget on June 15, 2026, with $97 million directed to capital works that include the Bendigo Art Gallery redevelopment and the Low Line walking and cycling trail.

Budget Decisions and Service Costs

Ratepayers will see no increase in bin and waste collection service costs for the 2026/27 financial year even though the council plans to borrow $7.3 million to support capital delivery. Community members connected to these services have noted the stability in waste charges as a factor in household planning during the current financial year.

Creek Remediation and Environmental Measures

The council is addressing Bendigo Creek contamination through a completed remediation plan that has been approved by an independent auditor and the Environmental Protection Authority. The plan targets runoff from the Bendigo Gasworks site. People living near the creek have expressed interest in the long-term effects of the work on local water quality and surrounding areas.

Representation Changes and Airport Works

Lockwood Ward has a new councillor, Donna Nicholas, who succeeded John McIlrath after a by-election in March 2026 that followed McIlrath's resignation in November 2025. A new hangar is also being built at Bendigo Airport under a council-approved lease agreement, with plans for a site management plan over the next six months following the creek remediation. Residents in the Lockwood area and those using airport facilities have followed these developments for their potential effects on local access and operations.

These updates form part of the council's ongoing work on capital projects and environmental management. The approved budget and related actions provide the framework for delivery in the 2026/27 year, with further steps expected as the remediation and lease agreements progress.