The City of Greater Bendigo has successfully secured Victorian Government funding to purchase 180 concrete bollards to be used as hostile vehicle barriers to support public safety at major events.
As part of the initiative, an expression of interest process was run last year inviting local school students and community groups to decorate 70 bollards to make them more visually appealing.
The following groups were selected and tasked with decorating the bollards, taking their inspiration from Bendigo's diverse cultural heritage, lifestyle, agricultural and natural beauty:
- Bendigo South East College/Academy of Creative Arts program
- Creek Street Christian College
- Camp Hill Primary School
- Eaglehawk Secondary College
- Bendigo Theatre Company
- Central Victorian Lion Team
- Dragon City Roller Derby
- Greater Bendigo District Girl Guides
- Props Theatre
City Manager Tourism and Major Events Terry Karamaloudis said the bollards would allow more major events to return to the city centre.
"Outdoor major events have to run in accordance with Victorian and Australian Government event guidelines, which require hostile vehicle barriers to be placed in busy public areas," Mr Karamaloudis said.
"Last year the Victorian Government made funds available to purchase bollards to be used as a public safety and security measure at major events. We expect they will be particularly helpful as we return to staging public events more often following the COVID-19 pandemic and to support our economic recovery.
"They will support major events such as the Bendigo Easter Festival, and event organisers can enquire with the City about the use of the bollards and if their event requires them.
"The students and community groups were given creative licence to produce bold and colourful designs on the bollards, which will also provide another vibrant boost to our street art scene."
The project was funded by a $49,505 grant from the Department of Justice and Community Safety, under its Community Safety Infrastructure Grants program.
