Long-serving Bendigo CEO Craig Niemann will serve an extra year after being re-appointed CEO by mutual agreement.

The local government veteran was set to step down in December but he’ll now lead the council for another 12 months until December 2023, steering  the organisation through its move to the Galkangu – Bendigo Hub.

The $90 million Galkangu – Bendigo GovHub is a Victorian government project that will place the City of Greater Bendigo and a range of government departments and agencies in one building, on the site of the City of Greater Bendigo’s former offices on Lyttleton Terrace. 

Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf says Council faces a critical next 18 months with a state election in November and a move to a new home.

“The Galkangu – Bendigo GovHub project has been a long-term goal for the organisation and public sector in our community, so it is fitting that he guide staff and Council through this period of change for the business and oversee people settling into the new building,” Cr Metcalf said.

Mr Niemann says he welcomes the one-year extension to his contract but insists it will be the right time to step away after the City has completed its move toe Galkangu -Bendigo GovHub.

“It has been a great honour to lead the City of Greater Bendigo. We are on the cusp of an exciting transition for our organisation and I am grateful that I will be able to see this significant project through,” he said.

He said he also looked forward to completing the Bendigo Airport terminal expansion and the Bendigo Botanic Gardens Central Hub over the next 18 months, as well as continuing to lobby for funding for the Bendigo Art Gallery and Golden Dragon Museum redevelopments and the Bendigo Regional Employment Precinct.

The reappointment reflected Mr Niemann’s excellent leadership and council’s reluctance to let him go, Cr Metcalf said.

“Craig is a highly regarded CEO in local government with an outstanding reputation and excellent relationships at the State and Federal level. We face a critical time with an upcoming State election and the move to Galkangu – Bendigo GovHub, so certainty and continuity at the CEO level is important over the coming 18 months.”

When Mr Niemann departs in December 2023 he will have served 40 years in local government, having previously worked at the Borough of Eaglehawk and Shire of East Loddon (prior to Council amalgamations), and then the Shire of Loddon.

Council will advertise for a new CEO in mid 2023, Cr Metcalf said.

Mr Neimann spoke to Government News in January about his plans for the year ahead. Read more here.