Bendigo records another 12 COVID-19 cases

Across the state, 1504 new COVID-19 cases were reported overnight, taking Victoria's active case load to 13,443.

Sadly, 7 people died of coronavirus.

Other news: Harlowe, a 35-hectare property development, will go ahead after Dja Dja Wurrung grant consent to Welco

There were 12,268 vaccinations administered at state-run clinics yesterday which means 92 per cent of Victorians aged 12 and over have been fully vaccinated for coronavirus.

There are 84 Victorians in the ICU and 43 are on ventilators.

More than 88,083 tests have been conducted in the past 24 hours.

A new 35-hectare community that will include more than 400 homes is set to break ground after successful negotiations between Traditional Owners and the developer.

Welco and the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Coporation (Djaara), along with the City of Greater Bendigo, reached an agreement that will see the land in Sawmill Road evolve into a 400-home community with a childcare centre and more than four hectares of park and nature areas.

Under the Recognition and Settlement Agreement, the Dja Dja Wurrung must provide consent to development works that take place on Crown land.

Read more: Campaspe COVID cases spike, Bendigo records less than 10 new cases

Djaara chair Trent Nelson said being able to have Traditional Owners negotiate agreements and consent has been influential for the Dja Dja Wurrung community.

"It's really important for our social and economic development," he said.

"It creates opportunity for the young ones to stay in school and have tuitions paid for them. Djaara can support that now thanks to the finaicial benefit from this agreement.

"(The agreement) will create more opportunity for employment for our people but also self determination in more opportunities."

If you have someone at home that wants nothing more than to help Santa deliver gifts to all the good children, the Central Deborah Gold Mine has the perfect course for them.

More news: Bendigo students 'happy and relieved' with end-of-year results

Officially opened by City of Greater Bendigo mayor Andrea Metcalf on Thursday, youngsters in Bendigo will now be able to book in and take part in the annual Elf Academy.

The prestigious training facility is designed especially for Santa's little helpers, providing them with all the skills they need to join his renowned team.

"Exuding fun, creativity and unrivalled Christmas spirit, Elf Academy is guaranteed to capture your imagination" Cr Metcalf said..

The surface of Central Deborah Gold Mine has been transformed into a Christmas wonderland where carols, baubles, reindeers and candy canes are all part of the festivities.

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