The City of Greater Bendigo is located in the centre of Victoria, covering almost 3,000 square kilometres.
The City is on Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung Country whose ancestors and their descendants are the Traditional Owners of this Country.
Greater Bendigo has a growing population of more than 110,000 people, and have the state’s third largest economy base in Victoria.
The City of Greater Bendigo is currently a destination for people from around the world for a number or reasons: education, business, employment and refugee settlement. Additionally, livability factors make Bendigo an attractive destination for secondary migration from Melbourne and other places in Australia. Of residents born overseas, 21% arrived between 2006 and 20113. Additionally, residents becoming citizens increased by 178% between 2011/20012 and 2013/2014. A defining characteristic of this increasing diversity has been migrants from non-English speaking backgrounds. Between 2006 and 2011 residents from non-English speaking backgrounds increased by 43% – a greater increase than regional Victoria generally.
The City of Greater Bendigo takes a whole-of-community approach to fostering diversity and inclusion in the region. Through a thorough process of community consultation, the City developed its first Cultural Diversity and Inclusion Plan in 2016. The Plan endeavours to lay strong foundations so all residents, regardless of cultural background, have equal opportunities to participate in the community free from discrimination and fulfil their cultural and religious human rights.
As a leading actor in the local community, the City of Greater Bendigo continues to work towards building an inclusive community where all residents have a sense of belonging regardless of ethnicity, cultural background or religion. Part of this response includes strategic partnerships with local organisations, advocating for inclusion amongst local businesses and community groups, and facilitating the growth and flourishing of diverse communities in Greater Bendigo. As a growing portion of the Bendigo community identifies as having culturally or linguistically diverse backgrounds, the City is working to ensure they are welcomed, and have the full opportunity to participate in the community.