If we don't believe in our own city, its future prospects and its potential, then who will?
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
There appears to be plenty of support from developers looking to establish new buildings in the heart of our city, and their respective decisions to look to invest millions of dollars into the Bendigo CBD are not ones made lightly.
Several multi-storey hotels, the rejuvenated Beehive, the GovHub, new law courts and an ongoing program of work at the Bendigo TAFE complex show there is confidence in Bendigo and its ability to continue to thrive.
In the past couple of years there have been hotels mooted for sites on Williamson, Mollison and Myers streets, as well as in the Hargreaves Mall itself.
There can be no doubt future development, both commercial and residential, will face some challenging times not just in coming months, but in years to come, as the world continues to shake off the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
That circumstance makes any and all developments even more important to our economy.
They might not all gain the necessary regulatory and planning approvals, meaning they might not all become reality, but they all signal a willingness to look at our city as one where people want to invest and be part of.
And that's a good thing, if expectations can be managed and sensible planning outcomes achieved.
Next week's expected announcements by premier Daniel Andrews should set the scene for the next few months, with the slow and steady approach likely to continue as a series of stepped adjustments.
The business community will be looking for signs not just of change, but how to manage that change, and the risks and obligations required of employers keen to have staff return to work as quickly and safely as possible.
Hospitality venues, sporting competitions and the retail industry are all desperate for change and for the chance to start their own kick start their own revivals.
For all of us, Monday can't come soon enough.