Advocacy in Action: From Big Picture Planning to Business on the Ground

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Over the past fortnight, Be.Bendigo has been actively representing the interests of Greater Bendigo’s business community through a diverse mix of engagements and partnerships.

CEO Hayley Tibbett joined the latest Victorian Regional Chamber Alliance (VRCA) meeting where NBN shared updates on regional connectivity. We also met with the Victorian Planning Authority (VPA), contributing insights to help shape the future Bendigo Regional Employment Precinct (BREP) at Marong.

Workplace mental health remains a key focus. We held discussions with WorkSafe’s Workers Mental Health Support Help Line team to explore ways we can better support local businesses in this space.

Our collaboration with local government also continues to strengthen. Recent meetings with directors and executive leaders from the City of Greater Bendigo centred on shared priorities and new opportunities for cooperation.

We recently hosted Brad Battin, Leader of the Victorian Liberal Party, along with Wendy Lovell MP and Gaelle Broad MP. This was an opportunity for three of our member businesses to provide firsthand insights on the challenges and opportunities of doing business in regional Victoria.

Direct Member Engagement

Direct member engagement remains at the heart of what we do. In recent weeks we met with Abhishek, franchisee of Guzman y Gomez, toured JL King & Co’s impressive new facilities, and connected with peers during a visit to the Ballarat Business Chamber.

We also attended RACE Services Founders to Future event which celebrated local entrepreneurship and welcomed new leadership.

In The Media

Hayley spoke with WIN TV about the proposed seven-storey hotel development in Bridge Street. We highlighted the economic and urban revitalisation potential this project brings to Bendigo. The proposal was successfully approved by council on 16 June.

Across these activities, our aim remains clear: to champion the voice of our business community, foster stronger regional connections and help Bendigo continue to thrive as a great place to live, work and invest.

Our advocacy is shaped by your voice. If there is an issue impacting your business, please reach out to our CEO, Hayley Tibbett, at htibbett@bebendigo.com.au. We are here to represent you.

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We acknowledge that the Be.Bendigo is on Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung Country.

We would like to acknowledge and extend our appreciation for the Dja Dja Wurrung* People, the Traditional Owners of the land that we are standing on today.

Today, we pay our respects to leaders and Elders past, present and emerging for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and the hopes of all Dja Dja Wurrung* Peoples.

We express our gratitude in the sharing of this land, our sorrow for the personal, spiritual and cultural costs of that sharing and `our hope that we may walk forward together in harmony and in the spirit of healing.