It comes after costings to extend the Bendigo Regional Archives Centre were estimated at more than $3 million, including staffing.

An audit has so far accounted for almost 3500 items at nine major council owned or managed sites in need of appropriate storage.

The audit is expected to be finished by the end of the financial year. 

Extending the archives centre at 84 Nolan Street is the only option the council has explored thus far.

A lack of suitable storage space for historical items has been identified as a critical issue for some time. 

Establishing and staffing an object storage and preservation facility was a key recommendation in a Strategic Artefacts Report dated September 2017.

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It was acknowledged at Wednesday's council meeting that a purpose-built object storage and preservation facility was one of several solutions to Greater Bendigo's collection issues.

By investigating its options to involve other organisations in the project, the council sought to determine how much of the 'significant' costs it would have to shoulder if it went ahead. 

Councillors voted to have detailed design plans prepared for the project.

Bendigo Historical Society's Jim Evans welcomed the council's decision.

The Bendigo Regional Archives Centre also houses most of the historical society's collection, which has overflowed into four shipping containers at the site.

Mr Evans said the containers were almost at capacity.

He was pleased several of the councillors spoke to a sense of urgency associated with the initiative.

Matt Emond encouraged his fellow councillors on Wednesday to move swiftly with possible solutions and to get the project moving.

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Councillor Jennifer Alden was keen to explore opportunities to showcase the city's history, while also considering how best to store and maintain items.

She proposed the Bendigo Law Courts building be used as a preservation and conservation training facility.

Cr Alden said the city was already renowned for the conservation of historical trams. "We could become a state or national leader in conservation and preservation," she said. 

She believed the proposal could bring unique job opportunities to the city, and new technology could afford innovative exhibition opportunities.

"I believe this could start sooner rather than later," Cr Alden said.

Cr Emond said it was important the council not get bound up in one option or put the 'cart before the horse'.

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