The new $4.65M major events space, located in the heart of Bendigo's Chinese Precinct, was jointly opened by Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Rod Campbell, Federal Member for Bendigo Steve Gibbons MHR and the Hon Jacinta Allan, Victorian Minister for Rural and Regional Development.

Mayor Campbell said the opening was important because it marked the culmination and delivery of another important major project for the City of Greater Bendigo.

"Dai Gum San is the city's newest, innovative public space for outdoor performances, markets and major events. It's a celebration of Bendigo's rich Chinese cultural heritage and our goldfields history and is unlike any other public gathering space in regional Victoria.

"The Chinese who came here during the gold rush called Bendigo "Dai Gum San" which in Cantonese means Big Gold Mountain and it's very appropriate for the new space to share this important piece of history," said Cr Campbell.

He said the Dai Gum San project has involved the partial decking of the Bendigo Creek to create an upper and lower plaza and construction of a five-metre, fibreglass and concrete, red Lotus flower centrepiece that provides seating and stepped access between the two plazas.

Other features include paving to depict China's Pearl River Delta, Chinese calligraphy, the use of terracing and unique paving designs and treatments to provide seating and access between the two levels, planter boxes, flower sculptures, lantern lighting, bamboo and conifer gardens, and use of local stone including Harcourt granite.

Over 100,000 cobbles have been laid in the lower plaza, and the upper plaza features Pyrenees slate from Castlemaine that is flecked with fools gold. More than 9000 slate tiles have been used in the decked area over the Bendigo Creek and 620 pieces of Harcout granite have been used as edging.

"Dai Gum San has enhanced the Chinese Precinct by linking the Golden Dragon Museum with the Yi Yuan Gardens and the Kuan Yin Temple. It is also an important bookend to the View Street Arts and Rosalind Park precincts and the City is looking forward to it hosting many new and existing events in the months and years ahead.

"The City of Greater Bendigo is very proud to deliver this exciting new events space to the community," said Cr Campbell.

He said despite this project being carried out in what has been the wettest winter Bendigo has experienced for many years he was delighted that the project had only been slightly delayed.

"Recent rain has definitely hampered our attempts to complete the project 100 per cent prior to the opening however some minor works will continue to finalise the project over the next couple of weeks," Cr Campbell said.

The $4.65M project was funded by the Federal Government ($1.9M), the State Government ($1.6M) and the City of Greater Bendigo ($1.15M).