A REGIONAL White Night would showcase Bendigo's strengths in art, culture and heritage, according to City of Greater Bendigo futures director Stan Liacos.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
More than half a million people filled Melbourne's streets for the city's second annual all-night White Night cultural festival last weekend.
And while a similar event is not in the immediate pipeline for Bendigo, Mr Liacos says the city would be well-suited to cater for such a showcase.
"Clearly with Bendigo having such grand central streetscapes and iconic buildings, one could envisage a similar event having great potential in Bendigo," he said.
"One would have to be realistic though, with central Melbourne having a far greater critical mass than Bendigo.
"Nonetheless a Saturday night extravaganza focused on lighting and entertainment with a solid focus on Charing Cross, Pall Mall and View Street could be very successful if delivered in a careful and creative way."
However Mr Liacos said the decision to hold a White Night in Bendigo rested with the state government.
"Council would not have the resources to deliver an event of that scale without strong support from the state government," he said.
"The state government may want to consider supporting Bendigo, Ballarat and Geelong to undertake a similar venture.
"We would clearly welcome their interest, but at the same time, we're on a path of developing our own creative events and attractions."
Mr Liacos praised White Night, dubbing it a "roaring success for central Melbourne".
He said it was great for Victoria to host such coordinated initiatives.
"It's lovely and refreshing to see a great artistic idea delivered with conviction and solid support from the state government," he said.
Arts Minister Heidi Victoria said organisers had listened to feedback from patrons last year and would do so again ahead of the 2015 event in Melbourne.
Asked about the future of the festival beyond next year, Ms Victoria said she would recommend to Victorian Premier Denis Napthine that it be supported beyond the initial three-year funding it had received from the state government.