What the council is working on
Recent deliveries, what's underway now, and what's planned next — drawn from the council's own plans, budgets and project pages. We report what the council has publicly said it's doing; every item links to its source.
The council's stated direction
Greater Bendigo's direction is set by its Community Vision, created by a community panel in 2021 and updated by a second panel in 2025, and by the Council Plan Mir wimbul 2025–2029, adopted on 16 June 2025. The Council Plan includes the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan; its annual actions are funded through each year's budget.
The Council Plan has four themes, each with three goals (12 goals and 34 priorities in total): Responsible — running an effective, fair and efficient organisation; Healthy — protecting and improving physical, mental and environmental health; Thriving — managing growth, including businesses, housing, heritage and creativity; and Welcoming — celebrating and including everyone in the community. The council says a panel of 42 community members helped shape the plan.
The 2026–27 budget, adopted in June 2026, is valued at $280 million, with a $186 million operating budget and $97 million of capital works. It keeps the rate rise within the 2.75% cap and leaves household waste charges unchanged. Named projects include the Rosalind Park Conservatory renovation, the Golden Square Recreation Reserve pavilion upgrade, and continuing work on the Bendigo Art Gallery redevelopment, the Bendigo Low Line walking and cycling trail and the North Bendigo Recreation Reserve.
Underway now
Local processing of household organics
New organics bin rules from 1 October 2026The council has engaged Western Composting Technology, which has set up a commercial composting facility in Huntly, to process the food and garden material collected from households (about 19,000 tonnes a year). Until now it has been trucked to Stanhope. To protect compost quality, fewer items are accepted in the organics bin from 1 October 2026.
Heathcote Community Hub redevelopment
Construction under way (council project page, Sep 2026)Refurbishment and expansion of the heritage-listed Municipal Office and former Court House in Heathcote into a community hub, with an expanded library and tech hub, meeting and co-working spaces, and better accessibility. Funding includes $2 million from the Australian Government and $1 million from the Victorian Government, with the council funding the rest.
Source: City of Greater Bendigo — Heathcote Community Hub redevelopment
Glass drop-off points
Ahead of the state's 2027 requirementThe council has placed communal glass skip bins across the municipality instead of introducing a fourth kerbside bin. Their use isn't compulsory yet, and glass is still accepted in the recycling bin until further notice.
Planned / committed
Bendigo Livestock Exchange sheep and lamb shelter
Works to start before Christmas 2026; completion mid-2027A $3.4 million covered holding area for sheep and lambs at the saleyards in Huntly, funded $1.7 million by the Victorian Government and $1.7 million by the council. Council appointed a builder in September 2026 after a tender.
Source: City of Greater Bendigo — Work to start on Bendigo Livestock Exchange shelter this year
Recently delivered
Hargreaves Street Mall shared space
Opened August 2026The mall is now a one-way shared space for pedestrians, motorists, cyclists and e-scooters, with a 10 km/h limit, entering from Mitchell Street and exiting onto Williamson Street. Pedestrians have right of way. It is one of 26 actions in the City Centre Action Plan 2026–2029.
Source: City of Greater Bendigo — New era for Hargreaves Street Mall