Arabic version: مجلس بنديغو يؤيد عطلة يوم الكأس

According to ABC News, the City of Greater Bendigo council has voted to retain Bendigo Cup Day as the local public holiday for another five years. The 4-1 decision, made on Monday night after community consultation, means part of the shire will continue to take the holiday on Wednesday, October 28, a week before the Melbourne Cup.

The consultation survey received 2,672 responses, which mayor Thomas Prince described as the council’s “third most ever engaged survey”. About 38 per cent of respondents supported keeping the Bendigo Cup Day holiday, compared with 36.5 per cent who preferred Melbourne Cup Day. A further 24.7 per cent selected the Friday of the Bendigo Show.

Businesses made up 4 per cent of survey responses. Just over half of those businesses wanted the holiday moved to Melbourne Cup Day, citing operational concerns and alignment with the rest of the state. Eppalock Ward councillor Aaron Spong was the sole vote against retaining the arrangement, saying business feedback should carry more weight and that “business certainty” mattered.

Residents east of the Campaspe River, including Heathcote, will continue to observe Melbourne Cup Day as their public holiday. Epsom Ward councillor Andrea Metcalf said consulting firm IER and council data estimated local economic activity from the 2025 Bendigo Cup at between $2.9 million and $3.2 million, with more than 6,500 people attending. The council will now apply to the state government, which makes the final decision on local public holiday arrangements.