Early planning work for the development of the Bendigo Regional Employment Precinct in Marong is underway to deliver much-needed industrial land for Greater Bendigo.
The Victorian Government has invested $6M to prepare a range of studies that will outline how the site can be developed and identify the most appropriate businesses and uses for the 155ha precinct located along the Wimmera and Calder Alternative Highways south of the Marong township.
It is intended a Planning Scheme Amendment will be released in August or September this year to rezone the site from the current Farming Zone to an industrial zone.
City of Greater Bendigo Chief Executive Officer Andrew Cooney said Greater Bendigo had less than 10 years' supply of industrial land left.
"Greater Bendigo has a strong manufacturing industry. This project intends to secure jobs in the region and support local businesses that may want to grow and attract future businesses seeking large parcels of land ready for development," Mr Cooney said.
"Much of the industrial land that is available now is small and the lot sizes are spread out, which is not ideal when it comes to supporting large-scale industry and separating this kind of development from residential living.
"We have partnered with Development Victoria, the Victorian Planning Authority, the Department of Transport and Planning, and Regional Development Victoria to complete a range of technical studies, including traffic and transport, flora and fauna, and Aboriginal cultural heritage. Coliban Water is also delivering a pipeline upgrade between Golden Square and Marong to deliver increased water pressure and water flow.
"A key focus of the studies is to identify the enabling infrastructure the site is going to need, for example power, sewer and roads, and the best development model that ultimately makes it affordable for tenants to move in.
"As the studies are completed, we will have a better understanding of the kind of costs involved so we can start having discussions with our State and Federal colleagues about how to realise our vision for this site."
To guide the development of future industrial land, since 2020 the City has prepared three strategic documents that confirmed the demand for industrial land and where a future site would be best located.
The 2020 Greater Bendigo Industrial Land Development Strategy acknowledged Greater Bendigo was experiencing a significant industrial land shortfall and struggling to meet demand, while the 2020 Marong Township Structure Plan and 2024 revised Greater Bendigo Industrial Land Development Strategy identified a preferred 294ha site for development in Marong. In 2021, the City purchased 155ha within this preferred site.
