Figures Shape Greater Bendigo Council Planning and Budget Choices

The City of Greater Bendigo Council adopted the Greater Bendigo Planning Scheme Review 2022 to strengthen settlement, environment and economic development policies. The same body released a draft Managed Growth Strategy that sets an explicit target of 87,000 additional residents by mid-2056. These two documents supply the numerical backbone for current planning work.

Planning Scheme Changes

Planning Scheme Amendment C275gben was adopted to protect miners' housing constructed during the gold rush era. The amendment forms part of the broader 2022 review that updated the planning scheme across multiple policy areas. Council records show the changes were finalised to maintain the effectiveness of the existing framework.

Growth Target and Rate Cap

The draft Managed Growth Strategy identifies the 87,000-resident figure as the projected increase for Greater Bendigo by mid-2056. For the 2023/2024 budget the council chose not to seek a variation to the Victorian Government's 3.5 per cent rate cap, citing the need to balance rising costs against lower forecast revenue. Both the growth projection and the rate-cap decision appear in official council documents.

Ward Representation Update

Councillor Donna Nicholas succeeded John McIlrath in the Lockwood Ward after a by-election held in March 2026. The ward had remained vacant since November 2025. The change restores full representation for the ward within the council structure.

Next Steps for Residents

Further information on the adopted review, the draft Managed Growth Strategy and the 2023/2024 budget settings is available through the City of Greater Bendigo Council website. Residents seeking details on Planning Scheme Amendment C275gben or Lockwood Ward representation can contact the council directly for the latest updates.