Rainfall runoff plan for creek – City of Greater Bendigo council meeting briefs

A REMEDIATION plan has been developed by the City of Greater Bendigo to deal with ongoing contamination of Bendigo Creek.

Recent heavy rainfall and runoff from Bendigo Gasworks resulted in contaminated water entering the creek.

Mayor Cr Jennifer Alden said the plan, approved by an independent auditor and the Environmental Protection Authority, has dealt with the contamination.

“The remediation process has been engineered to specifically stop runoff and ground water migration into the creek from the gas work site,” Cr Alden said.

“Remediation works have now been completed and a site management plan will be developed over the next six months.

“This will address future ongoing testing on the site and will form final signoff from the independent auditor and the EPA.”

 

Big list for long term

Council has submitted suggestions for changes to the Victorian Government’s statewide 30-year infrastructure strategy.

The original Infrastructure Victoria strategy was launched in 2016 and Cr Andrea Metcalf said it must be adjusted to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2019-2020 bushfires.

“Factors like employees working from home, rural population growth, and a new target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 have been included [in the council’s suggestions],” she said.

Cr Metcalf also acknowledged there are significant gaps in the strategy.

“Things like infrastructure for industrial land, the Bendigo livestock exchange and the airport are just some of the examples included,” she said.

“The inclusion of council submission reflects that many of the recommendations have been based on clear evidence and research with ambitious timeframes.”

“The strategy could be reviewed to benefit the Loddon Campaspe Region. I’m happy to endorse that.”

Meanwhile council has lobbied for an upgrade to the City of Greater Bendigo’s walking paths to be included as part of the Infrastructure Victoria’s 30-year plan.

Cr David Fagg said the pedestrian and cycling paths are being used more often since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and therefore need upgrading.

“Walking and cycling paths need to be joined up as our strategy says and new routes established for example from Epsom to Huntly and from Eaglehawk into Bendigo” he said.

“In addition, those paths that do exist are often in need of serious upgrades, improved signage and links to the suburbs through which they pass.”

Cr Fagg said council needs to continue to lobby State Government to “recognise Bendigo’s needs for these things.”

 

Green light for airport development

A new hangar will be built at Bendigo Airport as part of a council approved lease agreement.

Cr Greg Penna said there are six sites available and new developments at the airport are a positive sign.

“It’s heartening to see [tenants] have the confidence in the airport to renew their lease,” he said.

Cr Julie Sloane supported the new hangar, saying it is an example of positive economic growth.

“Strengthening our economy by supporting business and industries to develop and prosper is critical,” she said.

“With the current tenant seeking a long-term lease for hangar construction, a positive and confident message of business investment is sent to our community.”

All councillors approved the decision.

 

Finance report forecasts deficit

The City of Greater Bendigo budget will experience a loss of $9.4 million, as reported in the latest finance report.

Cr Julie Sloane said the recent figures are a reflection of COVID-19’s economic impact.

“It’s been a trying time for everyone through the pandemic and the City is no different in that,” she said.

“We will hope that the pandemic is under control here in Australia, but we need to be on the front foot.”

Council has taken out a loan of $3 million to deal with the loss, which Cr Sloane called a “smart financial process”.

Despite the deficit, the City of Greater Bendigo remains in low risk in the majority of the VAGO financial sustainability indicators.

“We need to have good sound financial management going forward, particularly in these next few years when it’s so uncertain,” Cr Sloane said.

Plan to shape Bendigo

A new community plan is currently in the works for the City of Greater Bendigo, with community suggestions for the region being raised.

Cr O’Rourke said the community plan is “everyone’s plan” and council will take the nine-month Imagine Greater Bendigo project feedback into account.

“It’s a really important part because it means our community comes along for the journey and are in the discussion for what they want to see,” she said.

Part of the new community plan include an upgrade to the Golden Dragon Museum and a masterplan for joint facility use at Catherine McAuley College, which Cr O’Rourke described as a “huge investment”

“The city is putting $7 million into that project and that’s really going to assist the community on that side of the city but also cricket and other groups,” she said.

“It’s great to see local firms getting more work from the Greater City of Bendigo in the future.”