In 2011, faced with a booming population, City of Greater Bendigo council concluded building new and wider roads was the silver bullet for rising traffic congestion.

But this unsophisticated strategy was met with staunch opposition from a community determined to safeguard against any loss of Bendigo's amenity.

The backlash prompted the council into embarking on a dramatic re-think of how it can meet the transport needs of a population it hopes will reach 200,000 by 2040.

The result of that re-evaluation is the 86-page "The Connecting Greater Bendigo: Integrated Transport and Land Use Strategy" released yesterday.

Belying its cumbersome title, the document provides a clear, concise and comprehensive blueprint for boosting economic activity, limiting congestion and promoting healthy lifestyles.

At the strategy's heart is the goal of reducing Bendigo's urban sprawl by accommodating an estimated 1000 new houses a year within the city's existing boundaries.

This "fill from within" philosophy is designed to keep the city compact and lessen the need for people to drive from new, far-flung suburbs.

It will come as no surprise to people who have endured lengthy waits at some of the city’s busier intersections at peak times that private vehicles account for about 85 per cent of weekday commuter trips.

With traffic movements in key locations rising by 4 per cent a year, the challenge for the council and its partner organisations is to divert those drivers - and hopefully more -  to alternative modes of transport.

It is an admirable aim but as the council recognises, the reality is people will only leave their cars at home if they are confident these alternatives will not interrupt their work-life balance.

This is why the strategy provides for a metro-style rail link, expanding bus services and connecting new residential developments to bike and pedestrian networks.

It is an exciting plan that promises to enshrine Bendigo as the most liveable regional city in Australia.