Sandhurst Diocese has submitted plans to rejuvenate the church-owned land adjacent to Sacred Heart Cathedral in Bendigo.
The $30 million plans will create a new precinct at the corner of High Street and Short Street, called Cathedral Square.
The new Cathedral Square development will create a vibrant new public space and tourism landmark at the entrance to Bendigo. It will include a new contemporary building and newly landscaped parklands that will respect the local aesthetic and complement the cathedral.
The application submitted to the City of Greater Bendigo includes plans for a retail space and parking as well as the administrative offices of the Diocese and Catholic Education Sandhurst.
The development will also provide social and economic benefits to the area. It will see the creation of new jobs in the hospitality and retail sectors.
The flagship commercial tenant will be a new Bendigo Chocolaterie and Ice-Creamery, created by the founders of the experienced and successful tourist destinations already operating across three sites in the Yarra Valley, on the surf coast and on the Mornington Peninsula.
Sandhurst Bishop Shane Mackinlay, said the new offering will bring great benefits to the City of Bendigo and will complement Sacred Heart Cathedral.
He said: “We believe that we’ve got the right mix, with commercial tenants that support the project and improve the entrance to Bendigo, as well as providing additional services and amenities to the many people who visit the Cathedral each year.
“This new precinct is designed to further enhance Sacred Heart Cathedral as the heart of the Diocese and a landmark presence in the city,” Bishop Mackinlay said.
Work on the site is expected to commence in the second half of 2024 with an opening date of early 2026.
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New precinct planned for Sacred Heart Cathedral site aims to give Bendigo a boost (Sandhurst Diocese)
