A FUTURE-focused community vision has been crafted to help with City of Greater Bendigo\u2019s planning for the next ten years.<\/p>\n
The full vision reads, \u201cGreater Bendigo celebrates our diverse community. We are welcoming, sustainable and prosperous. Walking hand-in-hand with the traditional custodians of this land. Building on our rich heritage for a bright and happy future.\u201d<\/p>\n
The five values that support the statement are transparency, sustainability, inclusion, innovation and equity and which council\u2019s decision making will look to reflect.<\/p>\n
Mayor Cr Jennifer Alden said she was very impressed with the panel that decided on the values and vision, a group of 65 residents aged 12 to 70 who met at Ulumbarra Theatre from Friday, 14 May to Sunday, 16 May.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe thing that we\u2019ve done different to a lot of other local governments so far is we\u2019ve had a youth panel,\u201d Cr Alden said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat made an enormous difference to have that perspective in all our deliberations and they contributed really well, so that was an important part of that process.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cr Alden, in her second term as councillor, said the idea of a bright and happy future resonated with her the most.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe use of the words celebration and happiness I thought were wonderful. The panel talked a lot about what does it mean to be a citizen of Bendigo,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s also very strong conversation around acknowledgement for an increased voice of our traditional owners and the value of that, and that will play out in a range of different priorities.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s move into a bright and happy future and I think that\u2019s what really summed it up. It\u2019s such a positive thing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was a really strong appreciation for what we already have and our heritage and where we come from and to build on that.\u201d<\/p>\n
With the some experts saying the municipality on track to reach a population of 200,000 by 2050, and growth accelerated by the \u201cpost-COVID exodus\u201d from capital cities, Cr Alden said sustainability will be an important area for council to focus on.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know that we need to have an approach to building and design that\u2019s going to consider the changes that have happened and will continue to happen,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Council is also aware of the increase in outdoor exercise, which has continued since COVID lockdowns.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve done good work on monitoring how that rate of walking essentially doubled on our tracks,\u201d Cr Alden said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s up to us as council to look to the type of infrastructure that we\u2019re planning for to make sure that what\u2019s available matches people\u2019s expectations.\u201d<\/p>\n
As part of stage two of the Imagine Greater Bendigo project, the community vision will be available for public feedback before a council plan, financial plan and a municipal public health and wellbeing plan are delivered in October.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A FUTURE-focused community vision has been crafted to help with City of Greater Bendigo\u2019s planning for the next ten years. The full vision reads, \u201cGreater Bendigo celebrates our diverse community. We are welcoming, sustainable and prosperous. Walking hand-in-hand with the traditional custodians of this land. Building on our rich heritage for a bright and happy […]<\/p>\n