The City of Greater Bendigo says its Integrated Transport and Land Use Strategy has reached a pivotal stage in its development, which will be discussed on August 24, from 11am to 1pm, at The Capital theatre. 

Distilled Wisdom director Andrew Wisdom and Associate Professor Paul Tranter will discuss the importance of active travel and developing cities to accommodate the needs of all residents to live long, healthy, productive and fulfilling lives.

Families are encouraged to attend the forum, which will include free activities for children aged three to 12 years.

The council's strategy manager Trevor Budge will also give an overview of ITLUS to date. 

He said Bendigo was on the verge of positive change.

“ITLUS aims to better plan for how our city will grow and how goods and people will move within it in the future,” Mr Budge said.

“If you’re worried about growing traffic concerns and driving your kids everywhere, when they could walk or cycle to some destinations, then the forum will be an opportunity to hear how the city has identified ways to improve our transport and land use systems."

He said the council had engaged key bodies including Bicycle Network Victoria and Public Transport Victoria to identify ways to make it easier for people to cycle or catch public transport and develop better links between different types of travel options.

“Residents have given us great feedback and we’ve spoken with schools to understand how children want to travel, and all this has helped inform the development of the strategy," he said. 

"The forum is an opportunity to report back so people can see how it is taking shape and how they can help make ITLUS happen.”

Registrations are essential. Please email strategyunit@bendigo.vic.gov.au or phone 5434 6148 to register.