Council last night adopted the new Bendigo City Centre Action Plan 2026-2029, which includes reopening Hargreaves Street Mall as a one-way, low-speed shared zone from Mitchell Street to Williamson Street.
Opening the shared zone is one of 26 actions in the three-year plan aimed at strengthening the city centre as a vibrant, safe, welcoming, and investment-ready retail and activity destination.
The new plan outlines targeted actions to attract national retailers, high-quality food and beverage operators, and experience-based businesses. It also proposes initiatives such as shared tenancies, shopfront enhancements, short-term lease incentives, and a range of pilot programs to encourage activation and investment in the Mall.
The $500,000 project represents the most efficient, flexible, and cost-effective option. It will deliver a one-way shared lane by mid-September, with minimal disruption to traders and shoppers. The area will operate as a 10 km/h shared zone, improving connectivity between Mitchell Street and Williamson Street.
To transition into the shared zone from Mitchell Street, an existing gently sloped edge will connect the existing road surfaces. Bollards and planters will be arranged in a staggered layout to create a subtle winding path that encourages slow vehicle movement. A clear entry point will also be provided for cyclists travelling from Williamson Street to Hargreaves Street Mall.
Reopening the road is a key initiative to boost activity, increase foot traffic, improve access, and attract new business opportunities, including national brands.
No road excavation is required and existing infrastructure, including street furniture and the stage, can be repositioned. Trees will be retained, while Fun Loong Play Space will be secured with fencing.
The flexible design will also allow bigger events and activations, such as the Moonlight Market, to continue, helping to bring renewed energy and draw interest to the city centre.
While reopening the road is a permanent change, traffic flow, safety, and movement will be reviewed after 12 months to determine whether any improvements are needed.
Mayor Cr Prince said reopening Hargreaves Street Mall had been a long-standing topic of discussion within the community.
"There has been strong community sentiment, especially in recent weeks, showing how much people care about the Mall and the broader city centre succeeding as a key economic and civic hub," Cr Prince said.
"Reopening the road is not a single fix. It's part of a broader plan to drive revitalisation and investment, with a clear goal to attract more people, more often, in the city centre.
"This is an opportunity to reposition Hargreaves Street Mall as central Victoria's flagship destination for shopping, dining, cultural experiences, and entertainment. The area has the scale to attract national brands, premium hospitality, and curated cultural events.
"This is a collaborative effort, with landlords, agents and businesses all playing a role in shaping the city centre's future. The City can lead this action plan, but everyone needs to be on board for this to succeed."
The previous Hargreaves Mall Action Plan 2023-2026 laid the groundwork for revitalisation, delivering improvements to the look and feel of the Mall through new infrastructure, public art, ongoing cleaning program and more than 500 events and activations.
The City also facilitates regular meetings with traders and Victoria Police, which will continue.
