WHAT makes the Bendigo region a great place to live, and what would make it even better 30 years from now?
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Those are the questions the City of Greater Bendigo is encouraging residents to answer as it drafts strategies and plans that will shape the region.
The city today launched a nine month community consultation program, dubbed Imagine Greater Bendigo.
The first phase involves surveying residents on two questions - "What makes Greater Bendigo a great place to live now?" and "What would make Greater Bendigo an even better place to live 30 years from now?"
Residents will have until the end of the month to respond.
Two further rounds of information gathering are planned between April and August.
The community's responses will inform a number of critical strategies and plans, most of which are to be prepared by October.
They include a 10-year community vision, a four-year council plan, a financial plan, and a public health and wellbeing plan.
An asset plan is to be developed in 2022.
Bendigo mayor Jennifer Alden encouraged people to get involved in the project, which she said was the biggest community consultation initiative the city had done in the past 15 years.
"We all want to live in a community where we can enjoy the best possible quality of life, so this is your chance to imagine a Greater Bendigo that has everything you, your family, friends and community need to succeed, be well and happy," Cr Alden said.
The city will be seeking to connect with residents through listening posts and a community art initiative, as well as surveys.
"All feedback received will help Council to invest in projects and services that support your overall wellbeing," Cr Alden said.
Asked how the city would respond to potentially negative feedback about existing and controversial projects, Cr Alden said there would always be things people were unhappy about.
"Everyone is entitled to have their say but we will always be looking towards the evidence that underpins the best outcomes," the mayor said.
She said she would prefer to take a glass half full approach to the process.
"We have strengths to build on so we are looking at how we can think for future generations, as well," Cr Alden said.
City health and wellbeing director Vicky Mason said Imagine Greater Bendigo would build on feedback to previous strategies and plans.
She said city staff would be looking for themes in the responses to this latest initiative.
"It's about what people are saying most often and most strongly," Ms Mason said.
The questions selected for the first round of consultation spoke to the community's vision for the Bendigo region. Ms Mason said more specific questions would be posed in subsequent stages.
"It's about setting a long-term plan for the community and working closely with the community to achieve their aspirations," she said.
Imagine Greater Bendigo comes in response to the 2020 Local Government Act and the 2008 Public Health and Wellbeing Act.
For more about the project and to have your say, visit letstalkgreaterbendigo.com.au/imagine
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