THE City of Greater Bendigo has celebrated 20 years since amalgamation, with former commissioners and mayors coming together on Monday.
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Bendigo City, Huntly Shire, Borough of Eaglehawk, Marong Shire, Strathfieldsaye Shire and much of the Shire of McIvor, including the township of Heathcote, joined to form the City of Greater Bendigo in 1994.
Key decisions throughout the amalgamation process included approving the planning permit for the development of the Bendigo Marketplace, taking on direct responsibility for the operations of the Bendigo Art Gallery and Capital Theatre and relocating the saleyards to Epsom.
Former commissioner Gordon McKern played a key role and said while there were some concerns from residents prior to the amalgamation, most now spoke highly of the decision.
He said the amalgamation had fostered community pride and brought people together.
"There was some concern (from outlying shires) that they would just be thought of as somewhere over there, but I think it's had the opposite effect," he said.
"Now they get special attention. There were also concerns from Eaglehawk and Marong about losing their identity too but now there is no squabbling between councils and the public is considered at large."
Mr McKern and fellow commissioners Peter Ross-Edwards, Les Crofts, and later Maxine Crouch and Maurie Sharkey took responsibility of the amalgamation before local government elections in March 1996 saw the return of councillors.
Over the past 20 years, 29 City of Greater Bendigo residents have served as a councillor, 15 of which have also served as mayor.
Mayor Barry Lyons said, at the time, many thought amalgamation was a radical suggestion but most would now agree the City had changed for the better.
Major milestones of the past 20 years include: Undergrounding of power lines in the CBD; Development of indoor heated swimming pool in Eaglehawk; Construction of Bendigo Exhibition Centre; Construction of Bendigo Regional Athletics Centre and major restorations of Bendigo Town Hall, Dudley House, Heathcote Guide Hall and Athenaeum Hall Elmore.