A REMEDIATION plan has been developed by the City of Greater Bendigo to deal with ongoing contamination of Bendigo Creek.<\/p>\n
Recent heavy rainfall and runoff from Bendigo Gasworks resulted in contaminated water entering the creek.<\/p>\n
Mayor Cr Jennifer Alden said the plan, approved by an independent auditor and the Environmental Protection Authority, has dealt with the contamination.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe remediation process has been engineered to specifically stop runoff and ground water migration into the creek from the gas work site,\u201d Cr Alden said.<\/p>\n
\u201cRemediation works have now been completed and a site management plan will be developed over the next six months.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis will address future ongoing testing on the site and will form final signoff from the independent auditor and the EPA.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Big list for long term<\/strong><\/p>\n Council has submitted suggestions for changes to the Victorian Government\u2019s statewide 30-year infrastructure strategy.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cFactors 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\u2019s suggestions],\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Cr Metcalf also acknowledged there are significant gaps in the strategy.<\/p>\n \u201cThings like infrastructure for industrial land, the Bendigo livestock exchange and the airport are just some of the examples included,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe inclusion of council submission reflects that many of the recommendations have been based on clear evidence and research with ambitious timeframes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe strategy could be reviewed to benefit the Loddon Campaspe Region. I\u2019m happy to endorse that.\u201d<\/p>\n Meanwhile council has lobbied for an upgrade to the City of Greater Bendigo\u2019s walking paths to be included as part of the Infrastructure Victoria\u2019s 30-year plan.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cWalking 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\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cIn addition, those paths that do exist are often in need of serious upgrades, improved signage and links to the suburbs through which they pass.\u201d<\/p>\n Cr Fagg said council needs to continue to lobby State Government to \u201crecognise Bendigo\u2019s needs for these things.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Green light for airport development <\/strong><\/p>\n A new hangar will be built at Bendigo Airport as part of a council approved lease agreement.<\/p>\n Cr Greg Penna said there are six sites available and new developments at the airport are a positive sign.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s heartening to see [tenants] have the confidence in the airport to renew their lease,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Cr Julie Sloane supported the new hangar, saying it is an example of positive economic growth.<\/p>\n \u201cStrengthening our economy by supporting business and industries to develop and prosper is critical,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cWith the current tenant seeking a long-term lease for hangar construction, a positive and confident message of business investment is sent to our community.\u201d<\/p>\n All councillors approved the decision.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Finance report forecasts deficit<\/strong><\/p>\n The City of Greater Bendigo budget will experience a loss of $9.4 million, as reported in the latest finance report.<\/p>\n Cr Julie Sloane said the recent figures are a reflection of COVID-19\u2019s economic impact.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been a trying time for everyone through the pandemic and the City is no different in that,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will hope that the pandemic is under control here in Australia, but we need to be on the front foot.\u201d<\/p>\n Council has taken out a loan of $3 million to deal with the loss, which Cr Sloane called a \u201csmart financial process\u201d.<\/p>\n Despite the deficit, the City of Greater Bendigo remains in low risk in the majority of the VAGO financial sustainability indicators.<\/p>\n \u201cWe need to have good sound financial management going forward, particularly in these next few years when it\u2019s so uncertain,\u201d Cr Sloane said.<\/p>\n