Case Studies

Background 

Greater Bendigo is one of regional Victoria’s fastest growing economies, with a population that is becoming more culturally diverse and internationally connected. The city holds Australia’s first UNESCO Creative City and Region of Gastronomy designation, is home to internationally connected manufacturers and exporters, and supports growing diaspora communities, international education providers and a fast-growing visitor economy. This international profile is reflected in the data: Gross Regional Product has increased by 35% since 2020, annual overseas exports are worth $1.7 billion, and in 2024 international visitor spend reached $37 million, up 42% on the previous year. To take advantage of these strengths and pursue international engagement in a more coordinated way, the City of Greater Bendigo engaged REMPLAN, with support from Econovation, to develop an International Engagement Strategy to guide the city’s global engagement for the next five years. 

Project Goals 

The Strategy set out to translate existing economic, cultural and institutional strengths into practical decisions about which international opportunities to pursue. Objectives included auditing the city’s current international activity across trade, investment, education, visitation and cultural exchange, identifying Bendigo’s genuine competitive advantages, and prioritising a small number of markets, sectors and relationships where there is clear local benefit. The City also wanted a simple and consistent way to assess inbound requests and delegations as they arose, so it could confidently say yes only to opportunities that fit their goals. This would be backed by a practical action plan the City could use to track their progress. 

REMPLAN’s Involvement 

REMPLAN was commissioned to develop the Strategy through a structured six stage process. This included a current state audit of Bendigo’s international trade, investment, visitation and talent flows, economic modelling using REMPLAN Economy and REMPLAN Community to identify sector specialisations and supply chain opportunities, and interviews with more than 25 local stakeholders including businesses, organisations, government agencies and DJAARA. 

Results 

The Strategy identifies five strategic directions covering the visitor economy, priority international relationships, export readiness, workforce and education pathways, and delivery partnerships. The International Engagement Strategy 2026-2030 was adopted by Greater Bendigo City Council on 20 July 2026, giving the City a clear basis for focusing its international engagement effort on the businesses, cultural connections and investment opportunities that will deliver the greatest value for the region. 

Read the Strategy