The optimism comes following the City of Greater Bendigo announcing it had purchased 155 hectares of land south of Marong to develop the precinct on.

The land is located in council's preferred 280-hectare precinct along the Wimmera and Calder Alternative Highways, south of the township.

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Marong Family Hotel owner Robyn Lougoon said the development would be great for the town.

"I think it's fantastic. It's a good project, it's in a good position and hopefully it brings more development to Marong," she said. "Marong is screaming for development in terms of infrastructure and hopefully council sees that and can do more developments.

"We need public transport, that is certainly a necessity now. While we have got excellent health services, there is no service station, no supermarket and no chemist. There is a lot of infrastructure the town still needs to be viable.

"The community plan, which was approved last year, details that information but nothing has been forthcoming. Hopefully (this project) pushes that along."

City of Greater Bendigo chief executive Craig Niemann estimated the precinct could bring up to 4000 jobs to the region.

"The city has spent the last two years going through a process of assessing market needs and then considering 600 potential sites," he said.

Dymitha Hockey, who owns the Marong General Store, said she was excited for what opportunities the precinct could bring her business.

"As the owner of the local store and takeaway I am excited about the opportunities this development can bring to our business and the community," she said.

"This Is an exciting time for Marong and could bring about many employment opportunities for locals and newcomers to the area."

Council acquired the land after giving individuals an opportunity to put forward potentially suitable sites.

Ms Lougoon said that land-owners had decided to sell rather than council trying to take the land would alleviate a lot of the community angst about the project.

"The fact it was negotiated correctly this time is a bonus, there is no angst from the community, which there had been with the other situation," she said.

"That land grab, some farmers were concerned because they were long standing residents. The way (council) went about it was not OK. That was the bulk of the angst but some people still won't think it is a great idea."

Ms Hockey said she was pleased with how the land was acquired.

"I am glad that the land was offered to council to purchase by the vendors and not looked at being acquired," she said.

"As far as community support there has not been much discussion through my doors at the moment. This is still early days and I feel in the coming weeks it will be discussed locally more."

Ms Lougoon said Marong had developed greatly in her time in the area.

"I've been with the pub for 14 years, so I have seen massive changes out here," she said. "There have been changes in demographic with young families here who need services.

"We are a strong little community and there are no signs of the growth slowing down in any shape or form."

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