No funds for civic upgrade

HEATHCOTE’S Civic Precinct project is now on the backburner after failing to attract funding in the City of Greater Bendigo 2023/24 budget.

The project would have seen a rearrangement of internal spaces within the town’s original courthouse and shire hall building to include activity rooms, a technology hub, and other upgrades.

This setback has disappointed community members who have driven the consultation and design process over the past few years.

Advance Heathcote treasurer Sherrie Coote said there was a need for the facilities the precinct would provide.

“Through the youth forum working group, we identified that there’s no space in town for young people to go to or to hang out at,” she said.

“This would have offered an opportunity for them to have a space, to have activities to go to and be safe.

“The design has a bank of computers and kids could have gone there after school to hang about with their peers, do their homework and get that level of support that isn’t available elsewhere in town.

Ms Coote said Advance Heathcote had also been working on a business incubator.

“We’d had discussions around the possibilities of being able to incorporate a space that people who are running small businesses could go and access,” she said.

“So that’s another loss, there are a lot of people with small businesses in the community that don’t have a place to work and meet.”

Civic Precinct plans were finalised in December and it was expected that money would be allocated for works in the upcoming financial year.

COGB director healthy communities and environments Stacy Williams said the City currently faced budget pressures and rising costs.

“This has been one of the most challenging budgets for some time,” she said. “The priority has been to finish projects that have already started as part of multi-year investments.

“It means some projects are not able to start in the next financial year.

“The City remains committed to this project and strong advocacy for additional funding to commence delivery of the project will continue.”