Bendigo Regional Employment Precinct
The Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) is working with City of Greater Bendigo to prepare a plan and planning scheme amendment (PSA) and development contributions plan (DPC) to deliver the Bendigo Regional Employment Precinct (BREP). The VPA is the planning authority for the project.
The BREP covers 294ha, immediately south of the Marong township, and provides an opportunity to meet the short to medium term industrial land needs of Greater Bendigo and the broader region. It will unlock zoned land for employment and industrial uses, which responds to the current industrial zone land shortage in Greater Bendigo. It is estimated that BREP will deliver 6,000 direct and indirect jobs for the region.
Disclaimer Note: Background Studies – The VPA is currently undertaking a review of the project scope and published background studies. The findings and recommendations of the background studies are subject to future changes.
The Bendigo Regional Employment Precinct includes land currently used for farming
Background information
The Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) is a State Government statutory authority within the Department of Transport and Planning that reports to the Minister for Planning.
The VPA’s main task is to make sure Melbourne and Victoria’s regions remain great places to live and work. This requires vision and long-term planning to ensure our growing population has equitable access to employment, public transport, attractive public spaces and affordable housing.
Our key priorities include unlocking land for new homes and communities, facilitating housing diversity and affordability, job creation and better development of new communities in growing and established areas.
We do this by working closely with councils, government agencies and the planning and development community on integrated land use and infrastructure coordination for new communities and strategically important precincts.
The Minister for Planning has appointed the Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) to lead this project from conception to finalisation. Throughout the project, we will work closely with the City of Greater Bendigo (the City), State Government agencies and local community members to ensure the plan considers and reflects their input.
Project Status Update – May 2025
The Bendigo Regional Employment Precinct (BREP) is identified as a priority in both Plan for Victoria and Victoria’s Economic Growth Statement. To support long-term economic growth in the region, the VPA, in partnership with the City of Greater Bendigo and key government stakeholders, are preparing a precinct planning framework for BREP. Since our last update in November 2024, we have progressed:
- The precinct infrastructure strategy in partnership with Development Victoria and the City of Greater Bendigo.
- Preparation of the draft planning scheme amendment package and economic framework study.
The draft planning scheme amendment package proposes to rezone the precinct for employment uses while applying a Development Plan Overlay to guide its future development.
A new local planning policy is also proposed to provide strategic direction for employment land supply in Marong West based on the economic framework study.
What’s next
In the coming months, we will continue targeted consultation with landowners and key stakeholders in preparation for wider consultation of the project later this year.