Bendigo Council support motion that will bring new life to Maiden Gully

A plan to build lakeside restaurants, shops and apartments at Maiden Gully is a step closer, after City of Greater Bendigo councillors backed the plan.

Maiden Gully neighbourhood activity centre could be on the cards if council supports a motion. Source: Supplied artist impression on the potential site

A proposal to bring shops, apartments and lakeside alfresco dining to Maiden Gully is a step closer after City of Greater Bendigo councillors supported the plan.

Councillors supported a motion at the May 23 meeting to rezone the waterfront land at 244 Edwards Rd to commercial.

The application will now go to Planning Minister Richard Wynne for approval.

The development proposes 4200sq m of floor area to allow for retail, services and office space with potential for a lakeside dining experience.

The council voted unanimously in favor of the motion with councillor Jennifer Alden noting the benefits the proposed development would have for the community.

“The community will benefit from 10-minute neighbourhood planning whereby many neighbourhood needs can be met locally,” she said.

The supported motion will allow for potential plans of mixed-use developments, retail, office and service spaces, a gym and a lakeside alfresco dining experience to be built at the site.

Council staff noted in the motion that the rezoning would allow for increased opportunities for local employment, with potential to provide office, retail and service uses.

Councillor Rod Fyffe noted the importance of the proposed development both socially and economically.

“It provides an opportunity for people to meet and socialise,” Cr Fyffe said.

Cr Fyffe also noted that the plans would allow for the community to live close to work.

“When we have these types of developments, it’s important to provide as much employment as we can either within the development or close by,” he said.

“Or else they become dormitory suburbs, with no heart or soul.”

A report by Elton Consulting from 2020 shows the population in Maiden Gully is ageing and also projects an increase in population.
Another consulting firm, ID Consulting, predicts Maiden Gully’s population will almost double by 2036, reaching 11,359.