A Bendigo resident has taken a community-backed proposal directly to council, calling for the abandoned Golden Square Primary School to be transformed into emergency accommodation for people experiencing homelessness.
In a letter submitted to council at its monthly meeting on Monday, petition organiser Jodey Hatzigiannis outlined the proposal, which aims to address a shortage of crisis beds in Bendigo and surrounding areas, where currently “vulnerable citizens are exposed to the elements.”
The school site has been vacant for more than 15 years, despite growing demand for emergency housing across the region.
The petition has been signed by over 100 Golden Square residents and comes after recent violent incidents near the abandoned site which Hatzigiannis said has contributed to a “climate of fear.”
In January 2025, Bendigo artist Joshua ‘Smurf’ Penny died from injuries after being allegedly assaulted in Golden Square. Hatzigiannis said the proposal also aims to improve safety in the area following the incident.
“This is a Bendigo community driven request, after the tragic loss of one of our very own, which has left the community heartbroken and in complete shock,” Hatzigiannis said.
“It is time to acknowledge the critical link between the current housing crisis, extreme weather conditions and the rising crime rate (including the tragic death of Joshua Penny) and prioritise this site for secure, supervised accommodation.”
The petition calls for the facility to provide mental health services, rehabilitations and meals in the space, as well as a 24-hour security presence.
Hatzigiannis also argued that the school’s existing infrastructure, including sewerage, plumbing, and kitchen facilities, would ease the process of housing people in the space and would be more practical and cost-effective than building a new facility.
Source: The Herald Sun
