The rPPP provides grant funding for the design and delivery of precincts, or ‘places with purpose’, to meet place-based community priorities.

This program seeks to provide transformative investment in regional, rural and remote Australia based on the aims of unifying regional places, growing their economies and serving their communities.

The Bendigo East Urban Renewal Precinct project will fund extensive planning and design process to produce a Precinct Master Plan that aims to activate up to five hectares of underutilised land for education, housing, and community purposes within 750 metres of the Bendigo CBD.

The precinct intends to revitalise Bendigo TAFE’s trades-based Charleston Road campus to:
• meet demand for emerging clean energy, mining, and manufacturing programs
• create a Clean Energy Centre of Excellence
• create social, affordable and key worker housing with sustainable design.

The project also aims to revitalise existing community recreational swimming, lawn bowling and mix use facilities.

This precinct partnership, led by Bendigo TAFE is supported by confirmed partners across local Aboriginal Corporations, academia, government and private industry such as Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation, Greater Bendigo City Council, Bendigo Business Council, Bendigo Regional Manufacturing Group, Loddon Mallee Housing Services Ltd (Haven Home Safe), Bendigo East Bowling Club Inc, Bendigo East Amateur Swimming Club Inc, Bendigo Amateur Radio and Electronic Club Inc.

The project is part of an $35.17 million investment in the first batch of precinct projects under the rPPP. With this first batch of projects now announced, more batches are now under assessment through the independent expert panel and further successful precinct projects will be announced in due course.

This project demonstrates the Government's commitments to valuing local voices and priorities; informed and evidence-based decision making; and delivery of investment in our regions with integrity and transparency.
For more information on the program visit infrastructure.gov.au.


QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT, REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT MINISTER, CATHERINE KING:

“This project is a fantastic example of the fresh ideas for building places of purpose that this program has been set up to generate.

“The Australian Government understands how vital it is to have productive, equitable and resilient spaces for our regions and the communities who call them home – myself included.

“Partnerships are part of the fabric of regional Australia and the rPPP capitalises on successful collaboration, setting it apart from typical grants programs.

“I look forward to seeing this transformative precinct project come to fruition.”


QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO FEDERAL MEMBER FOR BENDIGO, LISA CHESTERS MP:

“I am thrilled to announce the Federal Labor Government will fund the Bendigo East Urban Renewal Precinct project

"East Bendigo has so much potential and this funding will help to develop a comprehensive precinct plan for this part of our city.

“I want to congratulate Bendigo TAFE on the number of community partners like the Bendigo East pool and Bendigo East Bowling Club that they have engaged in this proposal."


QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO BENDIGO KANGAN INSTITUTE CEO, SALLY CURTAIN:

“We are pleased to be working with government, local industry and community to deliver a vibrant plan to revitalise the Bendigo East Urban Renewal Precinct.

"Our aspiration for this precinct is to activate a destination where training, education, housing and community meet to deliver significant benefits for the region.

"Working closely with our partners, we believe this project can help stimulate the regional economy, boost employment, help address housing demand, drive innovation through infrastructure and transform industry specific skills and training.

“We’d like to thank Lisa Chesters and the Commonwealth Government for their investment into the Bendigo East Urban Renewal Precinct and their confidence in Bendigo TAFE to lead this project.”