What will Bendigo need to get right as our region continues to grow?
That was one of the key questions explored by economic futurist Evan Lucas as he joined Be.Bendigo for a keynote event as part of Business Unboxed 2026.
Presented in partnership with Villawood Properties, the event brought together local business and community leaders to look at the economic and demographic trends shaping Bendigo and what they could mean for our region’s future.
Attracting the next generation
One of Evan’s key messages was the importance of attracting and retaining the next generation of workers, particularly Generation Z.
Bendigo has plenty working in its favour. As Victoria’s third-largest economy, our region offers strong career opportunities alongside something increasingly valued by younger generations – lifestyle.
But attracting people to regional Victoria is only part of the challenge. They also need the right housing, career opportunities and reasons to build their lives here.
As Evan explained, the opportunity is about giving people choice – in the careers they pursue, the homes they live in and the lifestyle they can enjoy.
For Bendigo businesses, attracting and retaining skilled people remains closely linked to the region’s ability to grow.
Housing and growth go hand in hand
Housing was another key part of the conversation.
As Bendigo’s population grows, ensuring there is enough housing – and enough choice – will play an important role in supporting our workforce and wider economy.
Villawood Properties used the event to highlight its proposed Ravenswood development on Bendigo’s southern corridor. The 3,000-lot project is estimated to generate around $2 billion for the local economy while creating more housing close to the Melbourne side of Bendigo.
The discussion also highlighted the challenges facing new housing development, including planning delays and other barriers affecting housing supply across Victoria and Australia.
For a growing regional city, these are not separate issues. Housing, jobs, infrastructure, lifestyle and economic growth all influence Bendigo’s ability to attract people and support a strong business community.
Looking ahead for Bendigo
Perhaps the strongest takeaway from the morning was that Bendigo has an opportunity to build on what already makes our region attractive.
Our scale, diverse economy and lifestyle give us a strong foundation. The challenge is making sure our housing, infrastructure and opportunities keep pace with the people we want to attract and retain.
Conversations like these create space for our business community to hear new perspectives, consider the issues shaping our region and think about what comes next.
Thank you to Evan Lucas for sharing his insights, to Villawood Properties for partnering with Be.Bendigo to bring the keynote to our region, to AJ Taylor for capturing the event and to everyone who joined us for the morning.
