THE City of Greater Bendigo will spend 2022 pressing politicians for funding as state and federal elections loom.
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The year could be a chance to lock in promises on a slew of multi-million projects that could shape the way Bendigo residents live, work and play for decades to come.
Premier Daniel Andrews has already flagged the possibility of new money for Bendigo projects over the next five years, should his government win reelection in just under one year from today.
He has not said which ones are on the shortlist, but the council's ideas would be a good starting point for leaders of all political persuasions looking to leave a permanent legacy on Bendigo's skyline.
So, how much money is the council asking state and federal counterparts to stump up?
Business park - $48 million
Bendigo exports about $2 billion worth of manufactured goods around Australia and the world every year but the city is rapidly running out of industrial land.
One of the best ways a political leader could solve that, guarantee more jobs and get to wear a hard hat a photo op would be to transform 155 hectares of land in Marong into prime manufacturing real estate.
The council has already bought the land but it needs $48 million dollars to build roads, install a water supply and lay out the rest of the infrastructure needed for businesses to move in.
Victoria's parliamentary leaders would be asked to find $38 million, which is the highest price tag of any project the council has placed on the list.
Federal leaders would be asked to pay $10 million.
Chinese museum - $35 million
One of Bendigo's showcase historical drawcards brings in as many as 80,000 visitors a year and it needs more space.
That's how it is going to bring in even more people and display more of its unique collection.
Political leaders could make that happen, guarantee tourism jobs and, yes, get to wear a hard hat at a photo op all at the same time.
A Victorian government would need to find $15 million. The current government has already allocated a separate $1 million in its latest budget for improvements to the museum's foyer and restaurant.
It is also working with the council on a business case for the other works that are needed. That work is expected to be completed at least three months before the state election.
A federal government would need to pay $12 million for any new museum space.
Mining museum - $6.15 million
Another major tourist drawcard also needs a bit of work.
The Central Deborah Gold Mine needs about $6.15 million for a "game-changing" refresh allowing more space on the surface for tourism, education and community use.
The pitch has not been developed as much as others on the council's wish list. It still needs $150,000 from a Victorian government to help refine the business case.
Once that is done, the council estimates it will need to find $1 million of its own money, plus get $3 million from a Victorian government and $2 million from a Federal one.
Gallery - $25 million
Plenty of people say this gallery is one of the best in regional Australia, but it could be even better if the entire site was redeveloped.
The phenomenal success of the gallery's "blockbuster" exhibitions mean it has outgrown its current facilities, the council says.
So what if a state and federal government earmarked a combined $18 million for a sweeping renovation?
The council would need to find $3 million and philanthropists would have to donate $1.5 million. The gallery's board has already promised $2.5 million.
Airport terminal - $9.895 million
Bendigo wants to draw in more tourists and business people.
One of the best ways to do that could be to get them onto airplanes.
The city needs a new airport terminal and it wants more businesses to set up shop on nearby land.
It needs is $4.5 million from the federal government.
The council and the Victorian government have already promised the rest.
Landfill - $29.6 million
Bendigo's main rubbish tip is rapidly running out of room and even if it wasn't, the pressure would still be on to find an environmentally friendly solution for the amount of waste residents generate.
The council needs money to rehabilitate the site once it closes, plus whack a new transfer station and recycling facility on top.
That "resource recovery" centre would help out a wider region grappling with similar waste problems.
Councils in the area would need to find $4.6 million for the landfill revamp.
Victorian and federal governments would need to earmark $12.5 million each.
Showgrounds - $8.6 million
The showgrounds could attract an extra 320,000 visitors every year if it had a revamp. They would spend $1 million a year in fees and other revenue at the showgrounds, and more in the wider economy, the council says.
The first stage of the revamp needs $8.6 million for the market pavilion, event spaces and building upgrades.
Victorian and federal governments would need to spend $4 million each. The council would need to spend $600,000.
Livestock exchange - $8 million
Bendigo's livestock Mecca needs new shade sales and other cooling systems if farmers are going to be confident their stock can be trucked in on days of extreme heat.
The changes will be vital for trade given that climate change is set to intensify extreme heat days in the years and decades to come, the council says.
It is working on a feasibility study for the works and estimates it will need to find an extra $2 million at some point in the future.
The council believes it will also need around $2 million from a federal government and $4 million from a Victorian one.
Other projects
Bendigo's council has a host of other ideas for governments to invest in, including $7 million worth of projects that would help make people healthier.
It would also need more than $20 million for tracks and trails across the municipality.
By making daily walking and cycling easier and more comfortable, these benefits can be shared more fairly across the community," the council says in its "investment prospectus" for other levels of governments.
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