Dragged kicking and screaming into a political football
BENDIGO’S residential Strategy will be reviewed because of greater than expected growth.
The State Government has announced a grant of $50,000 to carry out the review.
The review is needed because, according to the State Government, 40 per cent of the forecast growth between 2006 and 2031 had already been realised.
Regional Development Parliamentary Secretary Damian Drum made the announcement this morning.
Mr Drum said the Bendigo Residential Strategy Review would deliver greater community and investor certainty, helping the region grow.
“The Bendigo Residential Development Strategy was adopted in 2004 and is currently being audited because of the faster than anticipated growth that has occurred in Bendigo in recent years,” he said.
“Strong residential growth has many flow-on economic benefits and having a clear framework for future development will position Greater Bendigo City Council to undertake more detailed, place-based planning in the future.”
Deputy Premier Peter Ryan said about 40 per cent of the forecast growth between 2006 and 2031 had already been realised.
The Residential Strategy impacts directly on where and how property developments use “infill” parcels of land, range of housing styles and also on housing affordability.
“This project will review the strategy, assess current and estimated land supply and demand and consider various legislative and policy changes,” Mr Ryan said,
“It will also consider the latest demographic data and establish a new strategic framework to guide the long-term residential growth of Greater Bendigo.
“The project will result in a revised residential strategy that will give developers, the community and service providers greater surety and confidence about where land can be developed for residential purposes, and that sufficient land is available to accommodate the City of Greater Bendigo’s future growth.”
Mr Ryan said a contemporary strategic planning framework was essential to the economic development of a large regional centre like Bendigo.
“Clearly identifying future growth options and supporting infrastructure needs will enable the Greater Bendigo City Council and other infrastructure providers to plan their capital works programs well in advance,” he said.
“Identifying long-term growth areas will enable the council and other service authorities to start planning for the delivery of services, thereby minimising the lag time between when residential development occurs and when the services need to be in place.”
Bendigo Weekly | Bendigo Weekly | 12-Jan-2012
Working through the Christmas period, it’s been a joy to share the road with so little traffic each morning, but there’s been a gradual increase in the number of vehicles stuck at the lights, waiting at the roundabouts and stuck in the right hand lane this week…. In other words, Bendigo is slowly shaking off its holiday slumber and life is returning to normal after another festive season.
So after last week’s spray about how the not-so-cheap thrills of Twenty20 cricket are damaging the real game so many of us love and cherish, it’s time to return to a more serious topic, namely my wishes for 2012.
Firstly, I wish to place a ban on the term ‘political football’ in 2012. I am sure visitors to our part of the world would be amazed at our society’s ability to constantly turn what should be a major positive for the community into an absolute bunfight.
As soon as something becomes a political football, one side of politics inevitably has to be ‘dragged kicking and screaming’ to do something, seemingly as a result of pressure being applied by those on the opposite side of the political fence.
The collateral damage inflicted upon the rest of us whilst all this happens usually means that the ordinary people who matter most end up confused, frustrated and even fed up as our pollies battle it out via press release.
I hope this year’s City of Greater Bendigo council elections and the move to a three-ward system works out for the best, with candidates of the highest calibre prepared to serve their community for the betterment of us all.
I hope the City of Greater Bendigo, VicRoads and the state government can resolve the myriad of transport issues affecting Bendigo, and in particular the issue of access to the CBD and the need to balance the need for improved transport infrastructure with the need for a vastly more efficient public transport network.
I hope our region gets to be part of the NBN sooner rather than later, so that the benefits associated with doing so can be realised by local businesses, hospitals, the education sector, households and students.
I hope that everyone who uses social media does so for social purposes only.
I hope the rural sector continues its recovery from a decade of drought, and that we might be spared the effects of floods, locusts, mice, fire, frosts and drought.
And if it’s not too much to ask, I hope Collingwood can shake off the disappointment of 2011 and go one better in 2012.
pk@bendigoweekly.com.au
BENDIGO’S residential Strategy will be reviewed because of greater than expected growth.
The State Government has announced a grant of $50,000 to carry out the review.
The review is needed because, according to the State Government, 40 per cent of the forecast growth between 2006 and 2031 had already been realised.
Regional Development Parliamentary Secretary Damian Drum made the announcement this morning.
Mr Drum said the Bendigo Residential Strategy Review would deliver greater community and investor certainty, helping the region grow.
“The Bendigo Residential Development Strategy was adopted in 2004 and is currently being audited because of the faster than anticipated growth that has occurred in Bendigo in recent years,” he said.
“Strong residential growth has many flow-on economic benefits and having a clear framework for future development will position Greater Bendigo City Council to undertake more detailed, place-based planning in the future.”
Deputy Premier Peter Ryan said about 40 per cent of the forecast growth between 2006 and 2031 had already been realised.
The Residential Strategy impacts directly on where and how property developments use “infill” parcels of land, range of housing styles and also on housing affordability.
“This project will review the strategy, assess current and estimated land supply and demand and consider various legislative and policy changes,” Mr Ryan said,
“It will also consider the latest demographic data and establish a new strategic framework to guide the long-term residential growth of Greater Bendigo.
“The project will result in a revised residential strategy that will give developers, the community and service providers greater surety and confidence about where land can be developed for residential purposes, and that sufficient land is available to accommodate the City of Greater Bendigo’s future growth.”
Mr Ryan said a contemporary strategic planning framework was essential to the economic development of a large regional centre like Bendigo.
“Clearly identifying future growth options and supporting infrastructure needs will enable the Greater Bendigo City Council and other infrastructure providers to plan their capital works programs well in advance,” he said.
“Identifying long-term growth areas will enable the council and other service authorities to start planning for the delivery of services, thereby minimising the lag time between when residential development occurs and when the services need to be in place.”
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