Bendigo Council locks in Cup Day holiday for next five years
Bendigo Council voted 4-1 to keep the public holiday on Bendigo Cup Day through 2031.
Bendigo councillors have committed to keeping the local public holiday on Bendigo Cup Day for the next five years. A recent survey found businesses overwhelmingly wanted the date shifted to Melbourne Cup, which is observed statewide, to simplify staffing and rostering.
Councillor Aaron Spong was the sole voice for change, arguing that aligning with the state holiday would cut confusion. The other four councillors voted to keep the local date, saying the Bendigo Cup is a major community event that brings people together and showcases the city.
The broader public was split: 38.7 per cent backed keeping the current date, 36.5 per cent favoured Melbourne Cup, and 24.7 per cent preferred the Bendigo Show date. Councillor Metcalf noted that keeping the Bendigo Cup date allows some local businesses to draw customers from other parts of Victoria for an extra-long weekend.
- 4-1 in favour of Bendigo Cup
- Vote result
- 38.7 per cent
- Public support for current date
- 5 years to 2031
- Duration of decision
- Cr Aaron Spong
- Sole dissenting councillor
Why it mattersBusinesses will face another five years of complex rostering and staffing decisions tied to a local holiday instead of a state-wide one.
AustraliaBendigo business owners must continue managing payroll and supply logistics around a local public holiday rather than the simpler Melbourne Cup date.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 d ago
