suburb.guide

VIC · Greater Bendigo Council

Golden Square, VIC, 3555

Current weather

11.1°CRain showers

97% humidity · 20.8 km/h wind · 13.7° / 8.7° today · 19.2 mm rain

Desirability index

51.1/100

#255 among Country & regional suburbs

How this score is calculated

Suburb snapshot

Golden Square is a mid-sized suburb in the Greater Bendigo area, home to around 9,220 residents (2021 Census). Recent indicators show 867 offences in 2026 with rising year-on-year trends (+7%), roughly 94.0 offences per 1,000 residents, 2 school and preschool sites in the area, strong public transport coverage with many Public Transport Victoria stops, a higher concentration of local shops, services, and recreation amenities, and notable planning and development activity on record. Snapshot data also shows parks or public open space within the suburb and hospitals or GP clinics within the suburb.

Population

Population
9,220
Median age
39
Median household income / week
$1,344
Dwelling vacancy
7.2%
Unoccupied private dwellings
292 of 4,039
Median monthly mortgage
$1,300
Employment rate
56.4%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
316 / 162 / 148

Data sources & freshness

  • 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release

    The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.

Crime & safety

Total offences (2026)
867
Against the person
136
Against property
366
Rate per 1,000 residents
94
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 68 residents
State safety percentile
74th (lower crime is better)
Year-on-year change
+6.6%

Most common offence types

  • B21 Criminal Damage73
  • B43 Steal From A Retail Store91
  • B49 Other Theft50
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Order134
  • E22 Breach Intervention Order64

Data sources & freshness

Schools & preschools

Schools & preschools
2
Median school ICSEA (2 schools)
950.5
  • Golden Square Primary SchoolPrimary
  • Specimen Hill Primary SchoolPrimary

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

65 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Bay St/High St
  • Elm St/High St
  • Mimosa St/High St
  • Oak St/High St
  • Poplar St/High St

Data sources & freshness

Planning & development

Development applications from PPARS statewide register (lodged 2020–2022). Free public PPARS MapServer — applications through ~2022 (service last updated Feb 2024).

134 planning-related records

2021· 62 proposals

  • August 2021

  • Extension to an existing dwelling
    1 PETHARD PLACE GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of the land for a dwelling
    3 MONTROSE COURT GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a Carport
    38 BOOTH STREET GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and development of land for a retirement village comprising 176 detached dwellings and removal of native vegetation (Amended plans for design changes to Lot 15 - verandah)
    36-42 SPECIMEN HILL ROAD GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of the land for a dwelling
    26 WADE LANE GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and development of the land for 4 warehouses (Amended plans for design changes)
    346 WOODWARD ROAD GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2021

  • Construction of a Dwelling
    1/9 ALAMEIN COURT GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a Dwelling
    2/9 ALAMEIN COURT GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a dwelling
    29 NORELLE CRESCENT GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of the land for a dwelling
    31 NORELLE CRESCENT GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use of land for place of assembly (Change address from 22 Chum Street to 30A Chum Street)
    30A CHUM STREET GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Lapsed
  • Use of the land for the sale and consumption of liquor (Change address from 22 Chum Street to 30A Chum Street)
    30A CHUM STREET GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • 2 lot subdivision of land and the alteration of access to a road in a Road Zone Category 1
    52 MACKENZIE STREET WEST GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2021

  • Subdivide 1 into 2 allotments and creation of easement (Amended plans to change easement)
    193 MacKenzie Street WestPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of verandah and deck to rear of dwelling
    8 Booth StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use of building for industry (microbrewery)
    307-309 HIGH STREET GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • 3 Lot Subdivision
    60-66 EMMETT STREET GOLDEN SQUARE 3555NOD issued by a delegate

  • May 2021

  • Removal of native vegetation
    168 Olympic ParadePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use as food and drink premises, partial demolition, buildings and works and display signage
    330 HIGH STREET GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of two outbuildings
    3 Abel StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of the land for a dwelling
    7 Chevington ClosePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Replacement of front timber fence with colourbond fence
    2/6 Maple StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Demolition of existing dwelling and outbuildings and development of a dwelling (Adjustments to new dwelling boundary setbacks and reduced length of rear verandah)
    10 Burn StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of the land for a dwelling
    33 NORELLE CRESCENT GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2021

  • Alter a vehicle cross-over
    47 Shamrock StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Sealing of crossover
    53 Shamrock StreetWithdrawn
  • Construction of a plant room
    234-246 High StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a dwelling
    2/86 Specimen Hill RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • 2 lot subdivision and demolition of outbuildings
    611 HARGREAVES STREET GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a dwelling (Amended setbacks)
    29 Booth StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Partial demolition and construction of extension to a dwelling
    16 Booth StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Replacement of tile roof with colorbond corrugated iron roof
    52 Panton StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a dwelling
    37 NORELLE CRESCENT GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use of land for a medical centre and associated signage (extend hours of operation to sleep laboratory)
    406 High StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Partial Demolition of and Extension to Existing Childcare Centre, Construction of a Car Park and Removal of Native Vegetation (One Tree)
    45-51 PANTON STREET GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • 3 lot subdivision
    37 Pallett StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a verandah
    1-5 Wade StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • 10 lot subdivision
    22 RENWICK STREET GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Lapsed
  • 4 lot subdivision
    71 MAPLE STREET GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Lapsed

  • March 2021

  • 2 lot subdivision, demolition of an outbuilding and construction of a dwelling PS806849R (amend plans)
    23 Ophir StreetWithdrawn
2020· 72 proposals

72 proposals lodged in 2020. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.

Data sources & freshness

  • PPARS planning permit activity (statewide) — Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria) · Period: 2020; 2020–2022; 2021 · Updated on site · Public MapServer last updated Feb 2024 — applications through FY 2022–23 only; newer PPARS data requires council/API access

Amenities

55 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

  • Golden Square BakeryBakery

    269 High Street

  • Mister Bobs Sports BarBar

    366 High Street, Golden Square

  • Bbq
  • Allingham St/Hattam StBus stop
  • Allpress Dr/Aspinall StBus stop
  • Bay St/High StBus stop
  • Beech St/High StBus stop
  • Bethlehem Home for the Aged/35 Specimen Hill RdBus stop
  • Bethlehem Home for the Aged/Specimen Hill RdBus stop
  • Bissell Dr/Aspinall StBus stop

Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).

Data sources & freshness

  • OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh

Parks & reserves

5 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Cooinda ParkPark
  • Holly Street Natural Features ReserveNature reserve
  • Mickey Mouse Hill Bushland ReserveNature reserve
  • RF Turner Memorial ParkPark
  • Specimen Hill Bushland ReserveNature reserve

Data sources & freshness

Health access

Hospitals & GP clinics
4
Emergency department
On site
  • Bendigo Day SurgeryChum Streethospital
  • Pharmacypharmacy
  • Skintellect SolutionsChum Streetclinic
  • Yesyes

Data sources & freshness

Socio-economic (SEIFA)

IRSAD decile (2021)
3/10
IRSD decile (2021)
3/10

SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.

Data sources & freshness

Heritage

6 state heritage places

  • DEBORAH COMPANY QUARTZ GOLD MINENH1365
  • FORMER SAMSON FAMILY RESIDENCENH2231
  • FORTUNA VILLANH2211
  • GOLDMINES HOTELNH0827
  • NORTH DEBORAH QUARTZ GOLD MINENH1353
  • UNITING CHURCH GOLDEN SQUARENH1371

Data sources & freshness

  • State heritage register — State heritage authority · Period: current · Updated on site

Childcare

1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap

  • Golden Square KindergartenPanton Streetkindergarten

Data sources & freshness

  • Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Period: current · Updated on site

Hazards

Bushfire planning zone
No overlay at centroid

Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via Victorian Bushfire Management Overlay mapping.

Data sources & freshness

  • Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · Period: current · Updated on site

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
16
Parks (OSM)
8

OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.

Data sources & freshness

  • OpenStreetMap green cover features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh

Desirability index

Desirability score
51.1/100
Cohort rank
#255 among Country & regional suburbs

Data sources & freshness

  • Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics

Recent changes

  • Golden Square KindergartenchildcarePanton Streetkindergarten
  • DEBORAH COMPANY QUARTZ GOLD MINEheritageNH1365
  • FORMER SAMSON FAMILY RESIDENCEheritageNH2231
  • FORTUNA VILLAheritageNH2211
  • GOLDMINES HOTELheritageNH0827
  • NORTH DEBORAH QUARTZ GOLD MINEheritageNH1353
  • UNITING CHURCH GOLDEN SQUAREheritageNH1371
  • Bendigo Day SurgeryhealthChum Streethospital
  • Pharmacyhealthpharmacy
  • Skintellect SolutionshealthChum Streetclinic

Data sources & freshness

  • Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Updated on site
  • Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · Updated on site
  • State heritage register — State heritage authority · Updated on site

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