A plan to push public transport is set to be sent to the minister for planning for final approval. 

City of Greater Bendigo councillors will be asked to tick off on the Connecting Greater Bendigo: Integrated Transport and Land Use Strategy – a plan which has been in the pipeline since 2011 and was adopted last August. 

Bendigo currently has one of Victoria’s highest rates of car ownership – the ITLUS plan aims to set a different course and would inform future planning decisions. 

The plan introduces strategies around improving the bus network and advocating for improved public transport connections including the provision of services connecting Bendigo, Echuca and Swan Hill.

ITLUS identifies the need to improve regional connections including bus connections between Heathcote and urban Bendigo via Axedale and Junortoun.