Our city has lacked that one clear voice of authority that other cities like Ballarat and Geelong take for granted. Having a group to lobby government, champion our city and help raise our external profile should provide an excellent ally to the roles played by our three levels of government.

For too long what we lacked - but so desperately wanted - has been a handbrake on Greater Bendigo’s external efforts.

Now, with the combined resources of the Bendigo Chamber of Commerce and Central Victorian Business Network, our community is well placed to take up the challenges that lie ahead.

We encourage all sectors of the community to get behind the effort to give our city one united voice, because it must be united in order to work best. There is so much strength in unity and so much to gain.

More than ever, Bendigo will need the views and input from industry, service groups, the education sector, government and the grassroots community and to then harness all this positive energy towards converting vision to reality - jobs, investment, progress and a more sustainable environment.

With all our support, one positive voice can and should always achieve a lot more for our city and the wider region than a fragmented argument bogged down in the past.

What do you think? Write a letter to the editor, or e-mail editor@bendigoadvertiser.com.au