Have a say on City spending

COMMUNITY members have been asked to complete an online survey to let the City of Greater Bendigo know how they’d personally spend ratepayers’ money if they had the choice.

Feedback gathered will help form the City’s next Budget and four-year Council Plan.

The annual budget is considered to be essential in making day-to-day life in Greater Bendigo possible, funding over 60 services and maintaining infrastructure.

Approximately 60 per cent of the City’s revenue comes from rates, with the remainder from user fees, charges, and government grants.

Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf emphasised the importance of community involvement at the start of the budget and Council Plan development process.

“Your input is important as we continue to face ongoing financial challenges with the cost of City-run facilities and services,” she said.

“By sharing your views, you can help identify the services and facilities you value most and ensure our spending remains aligned with community priorities.”

Last year’s pre-Budget engagement attracted a three-fold increase in community feedback compared to the year before.

The top four priorities were ranked as roads, bridges, and drainage, waste, recycling, and resource recovery, parks, gardens, and open spaces, and footpaths, tracks, and trails.

These insights informed the 2024/2025 Budget, which included $11.1 million for road renewals, $3 million for road patching, $2.8 million for new and renewed footpaths, $674,000 for shared paths and $1.8 million for Bendigo Creek infrastructure renewal.

Share feedback on the COGB website until Thursday 19 December at letstalkgreaterbendigo.com.au//annual-budget-20252026.