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The block bounded by Lyttleton Terrace, St Andrews Avenue, Myers Street and MundyStreet has the potential to be consolidated as a civic and government based office precinct.Greater numbers of workers in this area would strengthen the surrounding retail activitiesincluding Hargreaves Mall. This block would be a desirable future location for the LawCourts if relocation becomes necessary.Objectives Encourage head offices and regional offices to locate in the Bendigo CBD. Encourage consolidation of sites within the CBD to facilitate larger commercialdevelopments. Consolidate the Lyttleton Terrace, Williamson, Mundy and Myers Street block as a civicand government precinct.Key Actions Include strategy and policy within the Greater Bendigo Planning Scheme that activelyseeks to ensure that proposed head offices and large businesses locate in the CBDrather than other locations in Bendigo. Allow multi-storey office development on larger sites in appropriate precincts in the CBD,as identified in the Built Form section. Investigate the potential to redevelop Council owned land for commercial development,including the potential to consolidate Council owned land with adjoining privately owneddevelopment sites. Introduce a local policy into the Greater Bendigo Planning Scheme to encourage thelocation of future government offices and civic uses within the Civic Precinct, particularlywhere there is a potential synergy between uses, and where multiple trips by serviceusers can be avoided.Other Initiatives Promote the CBD as a key office location through Bendigo marketing campaigns.Facilitate discussions between Sandhurst Trustees and the Council to exploreopportunities for site consolidation and redevelopment for commercial uses within theCBD Core Area.28

ResidentialThe ChallengeResidential development in the CBD would add to the customer base for retail andentertainment facilities, as well ascontributing to the diversity of the CBD.Residential development would havethe added benefits of increasing vitalityand out-of-hours activity, havingpositive spin-off impacts on retailingand entertainment facilities.The Residential Strategy recommendsthe development of more than 950dwellings by 2030 in the ‘coredevelopment area’, which includes theBendigoCBD.TheStrategyrecommends developments of up to 4storeys in height, with scope to developup to 5 or 6 storeys depending on thelocality. Residential development couldinclude shop-top housing (above offices and shops), home office developments, studenthousing and multi-unit/apartment development.The benefits of inner city living are many including access to services, facilities and work. Itis equally suitable for older people, ‘empty nesters’, young singles and couples. In manycases it can lead to less reliance on the car for transport, assisting in ecological sustainabilityobjectives.The large student population of Bendigo and the CBD in particular, provides a potentialresidential market that is largely untapped.LaTrobe University has identified the opportunity to develop student housing within the CBDif an appropriate site became available, comprising a multi-storey facility with self-containedaccommodation for up to 100 students. There are however funding and feasibility issues tobe resolved.CBD housing would complement the University’s teaching activities in the View Streetprecinct and at its information technology training centre in Garsed Street.Residential development has the potential to create some amenity conflicts, similar to thosealready experienced in the Melbourne CBD, requiring the location and design of residentialdevelopments to be carefully considered.The location of residential development will also be determined by resident preferences suchas access to cultural activities, open space, on-site car parking and other services.Potential sites or areas for residential development include land on the south side of theRailway Station (proposed long term high density residential by VicUrban), the formerBendigo Advertiser building, other existing office buildings, larger sites includingBeaurepaires, Rivers and Council-owned land, the mixed use areas on the periphery of theCBD where heritage controls permit, and sites around the View Street precinct.29

Refurbishment of existing buildings for residential use is sometimes difficult due to planningand building regulations, particularly fire separation and on-site car parking requirements.Reuse of historic buildings, in particular, is to be encouraged, as other uses are often moreproblematic in such buildings due to access and configuration issues.Objectives Encourage residential development in appropriate locations within the Bendigo CBDincluding areas/buildings with high amenity and larger sites capable of supporting multistorey residential development. Facilitate the adaptation and re-use of existing buildings for residential use, particularlyat upper levels.Key Actions Introduce a local policy into the Greater Bendigo Planning Scheme to encourage highdensity residential development in the Railway Station precinct, opposite Rosalind Parkin Pall Mall (the Bendigo Advertiser site in particular), in the View Street precinct and onlarger sites west of Edward Street. Encourage adaptation of the underutilized upper levels of CBD buildings for residentialuse. Identify impediments to the reuse of buildings including ownership, car parking, fireand building regulations, and develop possible options for developers/owners. Utilisesimilar work already undertaken in the City of Melbourne and, in conjunction with adeveloper, produce a demonstration project or virtual example. Introduce a local policy into the Greater Bendigo Planning Scheme to support adaptationof heritage buildings for residential use (e.g. in the View Street, Hargreaves Street andBath Lane area) while protecting the heritage character through provision of technicaladvice and planning approval support. Introduce a local policy into the Greater Bendigo Planning Scheme to reduce PlanningScheme car parking requirements for redevelopment of existing buildings for residentialuse in the CBD. Support residential development by undertaking amenity improvements such asstreetscape upgrades, safety audits and landscaping. Promote the opportunities for, and benefits of, CBD living in Bendigo in a marketingprogram similar to Melbourne City Council’s Postcode 3000 or City of Greater Geelong’sPostcode 3220.TourismThe ChallengeThe Council and Tourism Victoria have identified a lack of high quality, large-scale (4.5 to 5star) visitor accommodation in Bendigo and limited visitor accommodation in the CBD. Agreater supply of this type of visitor accommodation in the CBD would complement culturalfacilities and support the retail and entertainment uses in the CBD. Bendigo also lacksquality conference facilities for 100 plus groups (and ancillary accommodation). The CBDcould sustain more than one quality establishment of varying types (e.g. boutique hotel,large conference based hotel).Potential sites include the Police Station building in Rosalind Park (if demolition notpossible), the former Bendigo Advertiser building and the Beaurepaires site.30

The Bendigo CBD is a showcase of the city’s gold mining heritage. The ability to walk in andaround the CBD and between the tourist nodes would add to the tourism experience, andnecessitates the development of a high quality pedestrian environment, with interpretivesignage.The ‘Heritage Tram’, operating between Central Deborah mine along High Street/Pall Mall toLake Weeroona, has been highlighted as a popular tourist attraction, with potential forexpansion. Alternatively, there may be other forms of tourist transport (e.g. tourist bus, opentop bus) that could serve as an extension of the tram concept without the infrastructurecosts.The CBD has a good public transport network that could be made more effective (both railand bus), and its cultural heritage tourism product provide an opportunity to expand theniche backpacker tourism market. There is currently limited backpackers accommodation inthe region, and Bendigo is well placed as a destination in its own right, as well as a stoppingoff point for backpackers on route to the Murray River, Swan Hill, and Sydney etc. Moresuitable accommodation, combined with marketing to this sector should result in an increasein this potentially lucrative tourist market.Objectives Encourage the development of large scale, quality visitor accommodation in appropriatelocations within the CBD preferably close to the Retail Core and Rosalind Park. Encourage the development of a quality conference venue in the CBD in conjunctionwith visitor accommodation. Ensure that improved pedestrian connections, and installation of interpretive anddirectional signage, facilitate promenading by tourists. Support further improvements to the Heritage Tram or other tourist / visitor transportwithin the CBD. Encourage the development of backpacker accommodation in areas of the CBD withgood access to public transport.Key Actions Investigate the feasibility of establishing additional quality visitor accommodation in theCBD, including large scale five star and boutique style facilities. The Police Station,Bendigo Advertiser, and the Beaurepaire sites, and sites between McCrae St andFarmer Lane bounded by Chapel Street are the best located and provide the mostopportunity at present. Other historic buildings such as the building currently occupiedby St Lukes should be recognised as providing boutique hotel opportunities in future. Improve the potential to promenade between tourist nodes by providing safe pedestrianlinks supported by the provision of directional and interpretative signage. Utilise aconsistent approach in terms of design and theming of all signage. Investigating further improvements to the Heritage Tram, and/or an extension of othersimilar road based alternatives. Install directional signage from the Station to the Retail Core and tourist destinations.Other Initiatives Support visitor accommodation development with amenity improvements such asstreetscape improvements and landscaping.31

Promote opportunities for the development of visitor accommodation to the majoraccommodation providers.Work with Tourism Victoria to identify opportunities to develop overnightaccommodation.Encourage the establishment of ancillary tourist services such as currency exchangefacilities and tour operators.Entertainment and EventsThe ChallengeEvents and street activity enliven the CBD and make it a more pleasant and enjoyable placeto visit. Events can also draw a wider range of people into the CBD to discover its otherbenefits such as shopping, services and eating establishments.Events already taking place in Greater Bendigo include:Sheep and Wool ShowAgricultural ShowDahlia and ArtsThe Fire Brigade DemonstrationsBendigo CupNational Swap MeetingsThe CBD needs more informal, street based venues for such events, and more planning andcoordination of activities, on an annual basis, to provide on-going attractions and ‘street life’.In considering proposals for markets, one-off or annual activities, the Council shouldencourage the CBD to be used wherever feasible.Specific locations that could be promoted, redesigned or adapted to better accommodateevents include:Farmer Lane for a Farmers’ Market and/or a Night Hawker’s Market which could draw on theChinese cultural themes around the Museum and Garden;the gardens beside the Town Hall and the Town Hall forecourt in Bull Street, with thepossibility of street closure for events;greater use of the Conservatory in Rosalind Park for events and gardening focusedactivities; andthe Hargeaves Mall for daytime events, markets, busking, public art, play spaces,performance venue and displays.Use of the Council’s street banners to advertise events in the CBD and occasional public artin the streetspaces would also enliven the appearance of the streetscapes.A variety of entertainment facilities such as wine bars, live music venues and nightclubs canprovide after-hours activity and add to the diversity and vitality of the CBD. Safe andattractive night time entertainment can ensure young people are catered for and encouragedto remain in the city.Eating at cafes and restaurants located in the CBD is a major source of entertainment andthere is scope to build on precincts emerging in Bull Street and Pall Mall.32

Greater involvement of local artists in living and working in the CBD would strengthen theView Street precinct as well as showcase local products, particularly for visitors and tourists.Objectives Provide a range of informal street-based venues for events and utilise streetscapedesign to add to the vitality of the street space. Develop an on-going calendar of activities for the CBD that enliven the streets andshowcase the depth and range of Bendigo’s talent. Cater for a range of entertainment experiences of different types, venues and times toappeal to a variety of groups using or visiting the CBD. Ensure that late night entertainment uses are located away from existing and potentialresidential and accommodation areas to avoid potential amenity conflicts.Key Actions Provide enhanced entertainment opportunities in the Malland other locations in the CBD through the provision ofadditional informal street-based spaces and venues. (seealso Public Spaces) Prepare a co-ordinated event calendar and managementplan for the CBD, with trader involvement. (see Activities Bendigo CBD Core Area) Ensure that wherever possible all future proposed events inBendigo are located in the CBD. Utilise Council, educational institutions and communitybased resources to market and discover event possibilities. Coordinate the Council’s street banners with events andfestivals.Other Initiatives Street BannersAmend the local planning policy framework to direct entertainment uses to appropriateareas.Commission public art to enliven pedestrian routes.EducationThe ChallengeBoth the Bendigo Regional Institute of Technology (BRIT) and the La Trobe University(Information Technology Centre) have facilities in the CBD, and a new Fine Arts School islocated opposite the Art Gallery. This strong tertiary industry, supplemented by otherfacilities located outside the CBD, provides a clear basis on which to promote Bendigo as a‘University city’.The student presence in the CBD is supplemented by the 2000 students at the SeniorSecondary College located in Rosalind Park, many of whom visit the CBD on a daily basis,and the Continuing Education facility in the south-eastern part of the CBD. There is also a33

proposal for a federally funded Bendigo Technical College, and the Monash School of RuralHealth is located in Bendigo.Economic benefits to the CBD, and Bendigo generally, of such tertiary and secondaryinstitutions include revenue spent by students and their visitors, and the employmentgenerated to provide the physical and social infrastructure for the student population. Thereis an opportunity to promote the tertiary facilities in the CBD and ensure that tertiary studentshave a greater presence in the centre.The provision of student accommodation in the CBD and additional entertainmentopportunities would facilitate greater use of the CBD by students.BRIT has underutilised land and buildings on the Hargreaves Street frontage that havepotential for redevelopment. The existing buildings do not provide an active street frontage,however the Institute is developing a proposal to create an active use along HargreavesStreet.Objectives Encourage the development of additional education facilities in and around the CBD. Consolidate major educational uses in the BRIT Education Precinct and surroundingarea. Encourage the development of student accommodation in the CBD. Ensure that activities and retailing in the CBD continue to attract and provide for theneeds of students. Promote Bendigo as a ‘University city’ to encourage more students to consider thebenefits and options provided in Bendigo, and to encourage other educationalinstitutions to consider providing more courses in the city.Key Actions Include specific strategy and policy in the Greater Bendigo Planning Scheme toencourage the location of tertiary and higher education facilities in and around the CBD. Work with BRIT and La Trobe University to encourage and coordinate the furtherexpansion of tertiary facilities in the Bendigo CBD. Investigate the feasibility of establishing multi-storey student accommodation in CBDlocations identified as appropriate for residential development.Other Initiatives Ensure that the strong education sector is highlighted in any general marketing ofBendigo.Contact other tertiary institutions to develop interest in a diversity of tertiary opportunitiesin Bendigo.Encourage and support, if necessary, Bendigo’s tertiary institutions to maintain a highprofile presence at student information events (eg VCE Expo) and publications (egEducation Age).34

Specialist ServicesThe ChallengeThe Bendigo CBD experiences an influx of young people attending both secondary andhigher education facilities as well as other local young people that come to the CBD forrecreational and social activities.Bendigo Safe City Forum’s Working Group on ‘Young People and Public Spaces’ consideredthe behaviour of young people in Hargreaves Mall and other public spaces and found thatyoung people had equal preference for spending time at Hargreaves Mall and Marketplaceand that these places were used as a social outlet.Some traders expressed concern about young people’s behaviour within Hargreaves Mallassociated with congregating at the rotunda as well as use of bikes or skateboards, andtraders feared that older people were in danger of being knocked over. Young people havealso expressed a desire to feel safe in the CBD.The Council and the YMCA have recently developed a youth focussed facility adjacent tothe Council offices (known as B-Central) to coordinate youth activities and resources. ACentrelink office will be co-located. St Lukes provides a key community service for theNorthern region of Victoria from its headquarters in Bendigo, and should it relocate in futureit would be appropriate that it remain close to other similar services in the CBD.The Bendigo CBD needs to provide affordable and accessible recreation and social activitiesfor young people that create a positive youth image.By 2021, the number of people aged over the age of 60 years in Bendigo is expected toalmost double, which will have serious implications for the demand for aged services withinthe Bendigo CBD.Older aged people will require access to a wide range of services including health, medicalaccommodation, financial, social and

pedestrian traffic and interest. Blank walls, non-transparent windows, empty shopfronts and offices that do not generate pedestrian visits should be avoided at ground level, particularly in the Retail Core and pedestrian connections. Facilitate actions to ensure the retention and improvement of the Myer, Coles New