2019/20 budget submissions put to City of Greater Bendigo councillors

Below are some of the projects seeking support.

The Ironbark Gully Friends received a "major win" in 2018/19 - $500,000 for a major project - but complications with soil contamination mean no stone has been turned.

The group plans to rejuvenate a neglected tract of land running through the suburb.

Committee member Ken Beasley said the group hoped for $40,000 for a feasibility study for a project that would keep the community engaged.

Mr Beasley said the money could be taken from the $500,000 "sitting in limbo".

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The group has run several community engagement projects, such as tree planting days.

But it was a challenge keeping the community in tow with a project like the Ironbark Gully rejuvenation when there were significant delays, Mr Beasley said.

"We've been telling them for five years that this trail's going to happen, and hopefully it is going to happen," Mr Beasley said.

Many of Bendigo's farmers have experienced a double hit over the past 18 months: drought conditions and rate rises.

Member of the Greater Bendigo Farming Advisory Committee Ross McKinstry said urban encroachment had created a false value in land prices, against which farmers' rates were valued.

His rates had risen 27 percent in the last 12 months.

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Mr McKinstry asked council to look at where urban development was happening through its planning process, to avoid losing natural resources to development.

He also asked for council to approach the state government to say the rate review in process did not go deep enough into what's happening in the bush.

He said many farmers were struggling with the increased costs.

"Farmers are primary producers they're not land speculators, whilst valuations might go up, it's certainly not putting any more money in their pocket or the ability to pay," Mr McKinstry said.

"Farmers are primary producers, so they're at the start of the wealth chain. I believe the City of Greater Bendigo gains benefit through that wealth chain.

"If you damage the start of that chain that wealth is not added, which has an effect on the whole chain."

Mr McKinstry said the high costs could lead people to leave generational farms in the area over time and move further north. He had already seen lots of farmers destock in December because they simply didn't have water in the dams.

"Given the last 18 months we've experienced drought conditions, many farmers are struggling not only with rate rise, but also the ... costs," he said.

"Farmers certainly aren't looking for handouts. They're a pretty proud bunch, they certainly aren't looking for a free kick."

The Bendigo and Region branch of the National Trust would like miners cottages to be protected and developed.

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Member Peter Cox encouraged councillors to extend the heritage advisory program to provide hands-on reports and information for new home buyers or renters.

Because the miners' cottages were a low entry price housing option this would be a way of encouraging people to consider those sort of buildings, he said.

For many years the Redesdale community has worked hard to create a solid base. At the budget submissions, residents said they were at a crossroads.

Representing the community John Beurle said the town sought councils support in the development of the Redesdale precinct.

Mr Beurle said the plan's purpose was to attract more people.

Read more: Redesdale residents ensure town can thrive

For Redesdale, the plans would mean:

The community asked for $90,000 in funding from council, which would come on top of $40,000 from the Redesdale community.

"By doing so we believe we can become a case study for how community, council and collaboration can do some really great things," Mr Beurle said.

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