Candidates have been on the campaign trail in the Bendigo electorate, revealing their plans and proposals.
On Wednesday 2 April, Nationals candidate for Bendigo Andrew Lethlean and Liberal candidate for Bendigo Matt Evans joined Hon. Kevin Hogan MP, Shadow Minister for Trade and Tourism and Nationals Member for Page, to announce that an elected Liberal and National coalition government would deliver a $1 million upgrade to the Ironbark Gully Trail for families, bike riders, and pedestrians in Bendigo’s northern suburbs. “I’ve had strong feedback from the families about the need for more footpaths and trails that encourage families to access local facilities, such as the North Bendigo Recreation Reserve and Garden Gully Recreation Reserve.” Mr Evans said. Andrew Lethlean, The Nationals Candidate for Bendigo, said the project would improve access to open spaces and support active, connected lifestyles for the growing Bendigo community.
Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 2 April, Labor candidate and Federal Member for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters MP joined The Minister for Housing and Homelessness Clare O’Neil MP to announce funding for 77 new social and affordable homes operated by Uniting Vic/Tas. They also announced funding comprising loans and availability payments for 35 new social homes for women in need in Flora Hill as part of a partnership with YWCA and the Victorian State Government.
In what may have been a coincidence, both Labor and the Coalition announced funding for the development of the Kangaroo Flat Skate Park on Thursday 3 April. An 11am press conference called by Matt Evans and Andrew Lethlean with Senator the Hon Jane Hume, Liberal Senator for Victoria, Shadow Minister for Finance was pipped at the post by a 10am email from the Labor Party.
The Labor press release stated that a re-elected Albanese Labor Government would commit $500,000 towards the project, saying that the City of Greater Bendigo had identified it as a community priority. The Coalition announced that it would commit $500,000 to work with the City of Greater Bendigo to build a brand new skate park for locals in Kangaroo Flat and also $750,000 for an upgrade to Kyneton Skatepark.
The Nationals have local crime in their sights; they held a roundtable meeting in Bendigo on Friday 4 April. Nationals candidate Mr Lethlean, with Leader of the Nationals Danny O’Brien, Member for Northern Victoria Region Gaelle Broad and Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester, gathered with Victoria Police representatives and local victims of crime to discuss the rising crime rate in Bendigo.
Meanwhile, the Victorian Socialists launched their candidates last month, with Rohan Tyler running in the Bendigo electorate and Jordan van den Lamb and Steph Price running for seats in the Senate.
The Australian Democrats have endorsed Carly Noble and Heath McKenzie as their candidates for the Senate, while Avery Barnett-Dacey is running in Bendigo for the Greens.
This article appeared in Tarrangower Times, 11 April 2025.