VIC · Bendigo & Loddon · Local council, made simple
Greater Bendigo City Council
The City of Greater Bendigo is the council for Bendigo and the surrounding towns and farmland in central Victoria, home to about 127,000 people — from Eaglehawk, Kangaroo Flat and Strathfieldsaye to Heathcote, Elmore and Marong. Nine councillors, one per ward, choose the Mayor each year; a by-election for Lockwood Ward is under way. The council runs your bins, local roads and footpaths, parks, libraries and planning, and sets your rates. Here's the snapshot, followed by what affects your week.
Everyday essentials
The things people actually need from the council — fast.
Get to know your council
The basics, in one tap — open any card for key facts and a link to the official source.
This year's rate rise, how your bill is worked out, and when it's due.
2026–27: rates within the 2.75% cap; waste charges unchanged
Open →Budget & financesGreater Bendigo's financial indicators, each shown next to the Victorian median.
Average rate per property: $1,949 (Vic median $1,937)
Open →Crime & safetyGreater Bendigo's recorded offence rates, side by side with the Victorian rate.
6 of 11 offence rates below the Victorian rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsYour ward councillor, the Mayor, and how to contact them.
Mayor: Cr Thomas Prince (2025–2026)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, the Lockwood Ward by-election, and the 2024 results.
Lockwood Ward by-election: voting closes 2 Oct 2026
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council: phone, email, offices and hours.
Phone: 1300 002 642
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: 126,568 (ABS, June 2025)
Open →What's happening
7 updatesRecent items from Greater Bendigo City Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Have your say
Have your say on two draft complaints policies
The council is seeking feedback on a draft Complaint Handling Policy, covering complaints about council services, decisions and processes, and a draft Community Complaints About Councillors Policy, which sets a separate process for concerns about councillor conduct.
What this means for you: You can read both drafts and comment on Let's Talk Greater Bendigo.
Source: City of Greater Bendigo — News
- Policy
Council keeps Bendigo Cup as the local public holiday
Council voted to keep the Bendigo Cup as the local public holiday and will ask the Victorian Government to gazette it for five years from 2027. It applies to the area west of the Campaspe River; Heathcote and the rest of the area east of the river keep Melbourne Cup Day. The council's survey drew 2,672 responses: 38.7% preferred the Bendigo Cup, 36.5% Melbourne Cup and 24.7% the Bendigo Show.
What this means for you: This year's Bendigo Cup holiday, Wednesday 28 October 2026, is unchanged.
Source: City of Greater Bendigo — News
- Development
Builder appointed for Bendigo Livestock Exchange shelter
Council approved the appointment of a builder for a $3.4 million shelter over the sheep and lamb holding areas at the Bendigo Livestock Exchange in Huntly, jointly funded by the Victorian Government and the council. Works are due to start before Christmas and finish in mid-2027.
What this means for you: Saleyard users can expect construction activity on site from late 2026.
Source: City of Greater Bendigo — News
- Election
Lockwood Ward by-election: voting closes 2 October
The VEC is holding a postal by-election for Lockwood Ward after the death of Councillor Donna Nicholas. Ballot packs were mailed from 14 September. Completed ballots must be in the mail or at the election office (36 Torrens Street, Marong) by 6pm on Friday 2 October 2026. Six candidates are standing.
What this means for you: If you were enrolled in Lockwood Ward at 4pm on 22 July 2026, voting is compulsory. Lost your ballot pack? Call the VEC on 131 832.
Source: Victorian Electoral Commission — Lockwood Ward by-election
- Waste
What can go in your organics bin changes on 1 October
From 1 October 2026, only food scraps, garden material, raw timber and council-supplied caddy liners can go in the organics bin, which will now be composted locally in Huntly. Cardboard and paper move to the recycling bin; paper towel, tissues, pet waste, tea bags and bioplastics move to the general waste bin.
What this means for you: Check the council's list before your next organics collection; the bin is still collected weekly.
Source: City of Greater Bendigo — News
- Have your say
Feedback sought on a Howard Street, Epsom heavy vehicle trial
At the request of the Department of Transport and Planning, the council is asking for views on a possible trial that would stop heavy vehicles over 8 tonnes using Howard Street between the Midland Highway and Goynes Road from 8am to 9.30am and 2.30pm to 4pm on weekdays. No decision on a trial has been made.
What this means for you: Residents, businesses, freight operators and road users can comment on Let's Talk Greater Bendigo.
Source: City of Greater Bendigo — News
- Policy
2026–27 rates notices issued; no more early-payment discount
The council sent out more than 64,000 rates notices in August. As approved in the 2026–27 budget, it no longer offers a discount for paying in full in September; it says the discount cost about $500,000 a year. Waste charges are unchanged for the second year in a row.
What this means for you: The first instalment, or the full amount, is due on 30 September 2026. Payment arrangements and hardship support are available on 1300 002 642.
Source: City of Greater Bendigo — News
Email alerts aren't switched on yet
We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Greater Bendigo City Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.