Bendigo Regional Employment Precinct
The Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) is working with City of Greater Bendigo to prepare a planning scheme amendment (PSA) to deliver the Bendigo Regional Employment Precinct (BREP).
The BREP is an employment precinct designated by Plan for Victoria and the Victorian Economic Growth Statement. It is located immediately to the south of the Marong township. It will play a major role in supporting the short to medium term industrial land needs of Greater Bendigo and the broader region by unlocking zoned land for employment and industrial uses. It is estimated that BREP will deliver 3,000 direct and 3,000 indirect jobs for the region.
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 – September 2025
The draft planning scheme amendment of the Bendigo Regional Employment Precinct proposes to rezone the precinct to Industrial 1 Zone while applying a Development Plan Overlay to guide its future development.
Since our last update in May, we have progressed the preparation of the draft planning scheme amendment (PSA) documentation for exhibition. In addition, we have:
- Undertaken targeted consultation with landowners and key stakeholders.
- Finalised a range of background studies that will inform the exhibition process.
- Engaged with the City of Greater Bendigo and agencies on the draft ordinance.
- Engaged with the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation to understand the cultural significances within or surrounding the precinct.
In the coming months, we will be providing an update to landowners on the draft PSA documentation prior to the formal exhibition, scheduled to commence in late 2025.