Recent Events Shape Bendigo Emergency Response Measures

The City of Greater Bendigo has launched a new Emergency Dashboard on its website that supplies real-time warnings, road closures, relief centre locations and links to preparedness resources for bushfires, floods and storms.

Storms and Health Pressures Build the Case

A recent severe storm event labelled Code Red Day saw the State Emergency Service respond to approximately 60 callouts in Bendigo, the highest number in the region, while more than 11,000 properties temporarily lost power. Bendigo Health declared a Code Yellow internal emergency because of high patient demand and bed occupancy, which led to the postponement of some elective surgeries. These episodes showed gaps in timely public information and prompted the dashboard rollout to give residents direct access to updates.

Collision Adds to Service Strain

Emergency services also attended a fatal collision on High Street in Bendigo involving a truck and a pedestrian that resulted in the death of a 15-year-old boy and created ongoing traffic disruptions requiring alternative routes. The incident compounded the workload already visible during the Code Red Day storm response and the Code Yellow declaration at Bendigo Health.

Existing Services and Next Steps

Bendigo Health's Emergency Department remains open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, while the adjacent Bendigo Urgent Care Clinic operates from 10 am to 10 pm on Saturdays for non-life-threatening cases. Residents can now consult the City of Greater Bendigo Emergency Dashboard for current warnings and road information rather than waiting for separate agency updates. The dashboard draws on lessons from the recent storm callouts, power outages and health system adjustments to improve preparedness across the region.