Residents of Greater Bendigo can help shape the city's 2027-2028 budget by completing a survey on the Let's Talk Greater Bendigo website. The budget funds more than 60 essential services, including bin collections, park maintenance, early learning centres and arts venues such as Ulumbarra Theatre. Mayor Thomas Prince said community feedback plays an important role in council's decisions on services and infrastructure. Feedback can be provided until Tuesday 10 November.
The Bendigo Agricultural Show opens a new era with its recently completed Showgrounds Function Centre, which will host all homecraft competitions. The 882 square metre pavilion replaces several nearby sheds. Bendigo Agricultural Show Society executive officer Ian Furze said early reaction to the building has been very positive. The redevelopment, valued at $20 million, also includes a new arena surface with electronic irrigation and a former speedway dustbowl repurposed as asphalt parking. The show runs today and tomorrow, Friday 23 and Saturday 24 October, from 9am to 9pm.
A new grassroots group called Voices for Bendigo has been established to give residents of Greater Bendigo and surrounding areas another way to be heard. Co-convenor Claire Flanagan-Smith said people feel frustrated with party politics and that the group is not backing any candidate at the coming Victorian election. The group is running a community survey, with findings to be announced later. A community launch event, Voices in the Park, will be held on Saturday 24 October in the Library Gardens from 11am to 2pm.
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Labor has pledged $18.59m for an applied learning and tech centre at Bendigo Senior Secondary College, if it wins power. It has also promised $7.9m to upgrade Maiden Gully Primary School and $3.95m for a larger fire station for Mandurang CFA. The Nationals have committed $4.3m towards a total $7.3m redevelopment of Ken Wust Oval in Quarry Hill. They have also pledged $2m for the California Gully Recreation Reserve and $2m for a splash park at the Bendigo Botanic Gardens. The Victorian election is on Saturday 28 November.
Victoria has signed a federal housing deal that will support 25,600 homes reserved for first-home buyers across 20 locations, including Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo. Federal housing minister Clare O’Neil announced the agreement, which is part of a commitment to deliver 100,000 new homes for first-home buyers nationally. The federal government will provide $2.5 billion, while the Victorian Government will contribute at least $499 million. The funding will go towards essential infrastructure such as roads, water, sewerage and electricity connections. The first homes are expected to be delivered in 2027.
David Thorpe, who won last week's Lockwood Ward by-election, is preparing to be inducted as a City of Greater Bendigo councillor. The lifelong Kangaroo Flat resident says he wants to leave his mark on the ward and be readily available to residents. His priorities include roads, rubbish collection, public safety and community amenities. Thorpe says he has been welcomed by fellow councillors and city staff. The council will meet on Monday 9 November to elect a mayor and deputy mayor for 2026–2027.
A preferred bidder has been chosen to transform Sunshine Station in Melbourne into a six-platform transport superhub. The Network Integration Program Alliance, made up of CPB Contractors and SMEC, will deliver the Stage 1 works, due for completion in 2030. The upgrades include new regional train platforms, an extended concourse, new forecourts and an upgraded bus interchange. Three of five Stage 1 packages have already been awarded. Stage 2 works, which will extend the line to a new Keilor East station, start in coming weeks and are due for completion in 2031.
Doubts have emerged over whether Bass Coast Shire Council can properly adopt its annual report at its meeting on Wednesday, October 21. Council watcher Graham Jolly argued the statements must be included before adoption, rather than delegated to the chief executive. Councillors had proposed delegating the task to CEO Greg Box, who said the matter would be addressed later in the meeting.
Shareholders at Bendigo and Adelaide Bank passed the remuneration report at the annual general meeting, with 84.8 per cent in support. The bank faces an AUSTRAC investigation into its money laundering obligations, after a Deloitte review found serious shortcomings following suspicious activity at one branch. APRA has required an extra $50 million in operational risk capital, and the rectification plan is expected to cost $70 million over three years. Chief executive Richard Fennell said he was ultimately accountable and that fixing the issues was his number one priority.
National Australia Bank has announced it will cut up to 2,500 jobs, about 6 per cent of its workforce, by mid-2027, with up to 1,500 roles going before the end of this year. The bank also plans to reduce its use of consultants and external contractors. It has flagged a restructuring charge of about $300 million, pre-tax. The Finance Sector Union called the timing disgraceful, while an academic said the bank should explain the role of artificial intelligence in the cuts. NAB chief executive Andrew Irvine said customer-facing banking roles would not be materially affected.
Construction has begun on a new playspace at Garden Gully Recreation Reserve in Ironbark, near Bendigo. The $1 million project includes nature-based and interactive play options, barbecue facilities, a shelter, seating, a drinking fountain and bike parking. The City of Greater Bendigo is funding most of the cost, and the federal government has pledged $100,000 through the Commonwealth Accessible Australia initiative. Mayor Thomas Prince said the playspace and new public toilets form part of the reserve's updated masterplan. Federal MP Lisa Chesters said the funding will help children with disability play outdoors.
A 294-hectare employment precinct south of Marong has been rezoned as industrial land, a step City of Greater Bendigo chief executive Andrew Cooney said came at a critical time. The site, the Bendigo Regional Employment Precinct, was first identified as an industrial investigation precinct in September 2020. Once complete, it is expected to create about 3000 direct and 3000 indirect jobs. Regional Development Victoria has invested $6 million in studies on the site's development. The next steps include finalising trunk infrastructure requirements and developing an investment plan to attract businesses.
The City of Greater Bendigo is seeking community feedback on a draft urban design framework for the Maiden Gully town centre. The plan proposes a new town square linked to green open space, improved walking and cycling paths, smaller shops with housing above, and outdoor seating. It also supports a wider range of housing options. Residents can view the draft and submit feedback by Friday 6 November. Two consultation sessions will be held beforehand, on Tuesday 20 October at the Maiden Gully Community Hall and on Saturday 24 October at the Maiden Gully Coles forecourt.
The Healthy Landscapes Project is holding a practical workshop on Friday, October 30, from 10am to 12pm on Axedale-Goornong Road, Axedale. The interactive session will show how physically assessing soil can reveal its health and productivity. It is open to people new to soil assessment as well as those wanting to build their skills. Participants will gain practical knowledge to better understand the soils on their farms.
WorkSafe inspectors will be able to issue on-the-spot fines from 31 March to reduce fatal falls at work. Employers can be fined for failing to control fall risks, keeping safety records unavailable, or starting high-risk construction work without a Safe Work Method Statement. Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC Steve Dimopoulos said falls remain a leading cause of workplace deaths and serious injuries. WorkSafe Chief Health and Safety Officer Sam Jenkin said employers face no new obligations, but those breaking the law will face consequences sooner.
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Year 12 students at Mirboo North Secondary College began their final school day with an egg and bacon roll breakfast, many dressed in costume. An assembly followed, where students presented awards to each other and shared a video of photos from their years at the school. Senior School Coordinator Rose Hill said the event was about the students. Students entered in themed groups, and the day ended with a slip 'n slide and lunch at the park. Students in the VCE Vocational Major have finished, while VCE students are sitting exams, including English today.
Transport Victoria has confirmed the final design for intersection upgrades along Sunshine Avenue in Taylors Lakes. Construction is expected to begin in 2027. Two roundabouts at Melton Highway and Old Calder Highway will be replaced with signalised intersections, with additional lanes and new signalised pedestrian crossings. New walking and cycling paths and street lighting will also be built. A bus stop on the northern side of Melton Highway will move to the eastern side of Sunshine Avenue.
Year 12 students at Korumburra Secondary College have finished their school days. Year 12 Coordinator Steven Scott said the final year is demanding, with both schoolwork and pressure about what comes next. He told students without a clear plan not to panic, and that they can change direction if a path proves unsuitable. Students in the VCE and VCE Vocational Major programs continued the tradition of dancing for staff and younger students. Senior School Coordinator Nicole Creaser said the routines were well rehearsed and praised the students for sharing lollies with the younger pupils.
Victoria will add 11 AI-powered cameras to its bushfire detection network across the state's east and west. The $3.8 million project is jointly funded by the Victorian Government, Hancock Victorian Plantations and the Green Triangle Fire Alliance. The cameras use artificial intelligence to scan for smoke and fire around the clock, and the expanded network is expected to monitor more than 1.4 million hectares. The new cameras are scheduled to be in place by November 2027. Minister for Emergency Services Paul Edbrooke said early information would help emergency services respond more quickly.
Ken Bodinnar, a 73-year-old former State Emergency Service worker from Paynesville, is fighting to have his workers' compensation claim recognised. His doctors believe his small-cell lung cancer resulted from years of service, including the Black Saturday fires. The insurer rejected the claim, and a medical report later found his exposure to firefighting smoke and diesel fumes was a significant contributing factor. The dispute will go to trial in November. Mr Bodinnar is in intensive care in Geelong and hopes the claim will support his family.
Benton's Square Shopping Centre has reopened, with Woolworths and Dan Murphy's trading again. A fire gutted Harcourts Family Butchers, formerly Lindens Meat. Neighbouring businesses Top Pho and The Pantry House also suffered significant damage.
A new mural has been painted on the Waterhole Creek underpass in Morwell. The project was delivered by Latrobe City Council with local artist Charles Solomon, and it recognises the Brayakaulung people of the Gunaikurnai Nation. Painters Bradley Brown, Erika Brown and Terry Hayes worked on the design, which is titled Rise and Shine. Mr Brown said the artwork is meant to encourage young people. Latrobe City Mayor Sharon Gibson said the mural reflects the diversity of the community. The mural is expected to be finished by the end of the month.
A 62-year-old man from Caroline Springs has been charged after an alleged incident in a change room at the Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre on Sunday 25 October. Police allege he used a recording device to film several people in a change room cubicle around 11.10am. He faces charges of producing child abuse material and producing intimate images. Brimbank council says it has terminated his membership and banned him from all council leisure centres. He is bailed to appear before Sunshine Magistrates' Court on 23 March 2027.
Wyndham local David Hatfield says he was 12 when his mother was diagnosed with bowel cancer, and she died within nine months of a later liver cancer diagnosis. In 2025, Mr Hatfield, 48, was diagnosed with kidney cancer after an emergency visit to Stawell Hospital during a holiday in the Grampians. He says being diagnosed himself gave him a deeper understanding of his mother's experience. Ahead of Canteen's Bandanna Day on 29 October, he is asking people to listen to the stories of those affected and support the organisation's work.
