City of Greater Bendigo

Greater Bendigo is home to government, corporate, medium and small businesses and organisations.  Some of the larger employers include;

• Bendigo Health – leading regional health and hospital service
• Bendigo Bank 
• Rural Finance
• Hazeldene’s Chickens – poultry production
• Agnico Eagle Fosterville
• Thales Australia – design, manufacture and support of armoured vehicles
• City of Greater Bendigo – council services
• Alkane Resources – antimony and gold mining
• Derwent Industries – designing and manufacturing high-integrity steel castings
• Lactalis Australia – dairy production
• La Trobe University Bendigo Campus
• Bendigo TAFE
• Clear Dynamics – software company
• Apiam Animal Health – veterinary services

The City of Greater Bendigo is home to an array of public and private education institutions from preschool through to tertiary level. 

• 38 primary schools, 6 secondary schools, 4 combined Primary & Secondary schools and 3 Special schools. Of which 13 are Catholic, 35 are Government and 3 Independent.
• 43 childcare services.
• The Food and Fibre Centre of Excellence at Bendigo TAFE delivers unique learning outcomes in food and fibre production, animal care management, plants and landscapes, food processing, and resource management. 
• Bendigo TAFE City Campus completed a $60M redevelopment in 2021 and includes an Indigenous Education Centre. 
• La Trobe University’s Regional Growth and Innovation Strategy 2030 reinforces the University’s commitment to driving economic and social impact through transformative education, pioneering research and industry partnerships, and continued investment in their vibrant regional campuses. A further $43 million will be invested in new clinical teaching facilities for allied health, dentistry, midwifery and nursing in Bendigo. 

• Business | City of Greater Bendigo – Information to help you establish a new business, help your existing business grow and discover the advantages of investing in the region.
• Be Bendigo | Greater Bendigo’s Chamber of Commerce – Fosters a strong business community through creating connections and developing capacity towards a more thriving economy.
• Djandak – a Supply Nation certified business – represents the commercial interests of the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation and works to achieve self-determination and a sustainable economic base for the region’s Indigenous people.
• METS – A Victorian Mining Equipment, Technology and Services hub helps drive greater connection, and access to domestic and international supply chains, in the mining sector.
• Emporium Creative Hub | Creative Industries Coworking Community – located in central Bendigo the hub provides a place for creative entrepreneurs to build skills and expand networks.
• A number of co-working spaces in the region support innovators and entrepreneurs, including Killians Walk Business Hub, Millson Business Centre and Workspace Australia.

• Bendigo Art Gallery redevelopment | City of Greater Bendigo – Bendigo Art Gallery is currently undergoing a revolutionary transformation that will establish the Gallery as an international, world-class cultural facility for future generations.  It is expected to re-open in early 2028. The stage 1 construction budget is $45M funded by the Victorian Government, the City of Greater Bendigo, the Gallery Board and philanthropic donations.
• Central Deborah Gold Mine Revitalisation – Starting in 2026, stage 1 of the Central Deborah Gold Mine (CDGM) Revitalisation includes a major refurbishment of the existing Visitor Centre above ground spaces for increased tourism attraction and capacity. $2.91M has been committed by the Australian Government for this stage.
• Red Energy Arena – Upgrade information and project updates – A major redevelopment is underway at Red Energy Arena to create a bigger, better and more inclusive home for sport, entertainment, and the Bendigo community. This project is being delivered by Development Victoria on behalf of Sport and Recreation Victoria, as part of the Victorian Government’s Regional Sports Infrastructure Program.
• Bendigo Showgrounds – Development Victoria – Construction is now underway on major upgrades to the Bendigo Showgrounds as part of the Victorian Government’s Regional Sports Infrastructure Program and in collaboration with the Bendigo Agricultural Show Society and City of Greater Bendigo. These upgrades will revitalise the Showgrounds, improving accessibility, safety and functionality while preserving its important role as a venue for cultural, agricultural and sporting events. It is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
• Cathedral Square – The Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst is developing the church-owned land at the corner of High and Short Streets in Bendigo. The Cathedral Square development will include a new building and landscaping in keeping with the local aesthetic and is complementary to Sacred Heart Cathedral. It will provide a welcome improvement to Bendigo’s CBD entry boulevard. Construction is expected to occur between November 2025 and October 2027.
• Heathcote Community Hub Redevelopment – The City of Greater Bendigo is undertaking a major multimillion dollar project to re-develop the Heathcote Civic Precinct into a community hub to serve the Heathcote Community. The project will include refurbishment and expansion of the existing Municipal Office and former Court House Buildings. Funding of $3M is being provided by the Australian and Victorian Governments.

• Bendigo Livestock Exchange roof development – The Victorian Budget 2026/27 is investing $1.7M in the first phase of the Bendigo Livestock Exchange roof project, strengthening a critical regional hub for the sale of lamb and sheep. The stage 1 project cost is estimated at $3.5M.
• Bendigo Regional Employment Precinct | City of Greater Bendigo – This precinct, a 294ha site south of the Marong township, will provide much-needed industrial land for new and existing businesses looking to expand or relocate to Greater Bendigo. Rezoning of the land for industrial purposes is currently underway and is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. The first stage of the precinct is expected to be available by approximately 2032 for businesses to move in. $6M was committed by the Victorian Government in 2022 towards preparing for the development of the precinct.
• Bendigo City Centre Action Plan 2026-2029 – A bold new Bendigo City Centre Action Plan 2026-2029 has been adopted by Council. The plan sets a clear path to reposition Bendigo’s city centre as a vibrant, accessible and investment-ready retail and activity centre.
• Proposed Hotel Developments – Hotel developments have been approved in the Bendigo City Centre in Hargreaves Mall, Williamson Street & Bridge Street.
• New student accommodation coming to Bendigo | La Trobe University – La Trobe University will expand its CBD presence with a new 220-bed student accommodation complex, enhancing Bendigo’s reputation as a thriving University City. The about $50M student accommodation project will transform a site on Williamson Street, providing essential housing for students by the end of 2028. This substantial investment is in response to growing demand for higher education in Central Victoria.
• Bendigo Tafe – Bendigo East Urban Renewal Precinct (BEURP) – Bendigo TAFE has received nearly $1.2M in Commonwealth Government stage 1 funding to develop a master plan for the Bendigo East Urban Renewal Precinct. This investment will support future-focused initiatives in education and training, housing, and community development.
• Golden Dragon Museum Upgrade – The Golden Dragon Museum is ready to become the National Chinese Museum of Australia. The planned redevelopment represents an exciting next chapter for the Museum and will feature new museum-standard exhibition spaces, theatre, research centre, education studio and expanded collection storage. State and Federal governments recently funded initial design and planning for this project. Total project cost is estimated to be $40M.

Access the

• City of Greater Bendigo Investment Prospectus.
• Reimagining Bendigo Creek