Hall Pass
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 | 24-Mar-2011 5.15
Movie: Hall Pass (MA)
Starring: Owen Wilson, Jason Sudeikis
THE majority of the romantic comedy Hall Pass follows the Hollywood formula of its genre that has worked and not worked for countless of similar movies.
However, the only factor that makes this predominantly unexciting project different is that it is sprinkled with “out there” comedic moments that are intended to shock the audience.
The moments by screenplay writers the Farrelly brothers along with Pete Jones will certainly jolt the audience with their crude content that will divide those watching into “it is funny” or “it is vulgar” categories.
To me they are the only saving grace with the rest of the project being pedestrian and never rising above mediocre.
The script manages to demean men as well as women and centres on two husbands who have been let off their marriages for a week, and received a “Hall Pass” by their respective wives, who are tired of their constant obsession with ogling pretty women.
The husbands are played by Owen Wilson as Rick and Jason Sudeikis who is Fred. Their wives are more believable and are played by Jenna Fischer as Rick’s partner Maggie and Christina Applegate who is Jason’s wife Grace.
Owen Wilson polarises movie goers into “love him” or “hate him” status and will not change any opinions in this film.
The other leads deliver as required but it is sad to see talented Christina Applegate in such a lacklustre role.
There are a couple of mildly funny supports by Stephen Merchant (from the UK ’s The Office) and Joy Begar (from talk show The View). Australian Nicky Whelan (from Neighbours fame) passably plays Rick’s Hall Pass love interest, Leigh.
The Farrelly brothers have had success with films like Dumb and Dumber and There’s Something About Mary but have also had spectacular failures like Shallow Hal.
While Hall Pass slots into the centre of the spectrum, it is its portrayal of men as hopeless sexual predators and women as long suffering partners that grates and is stereotypical of the genders.
The ending is predictable and the screenplay lessons on marriage are hackneyed and trite.
Good all round production values are hampered by the poor script.
Don’t rush out to see this film. It may have some value on a really rainy winter’s day as a DVD watch. However, I’d rent it, as Hall Pass is not worthy of a second viewing or being part of a personal movie collection.
2.5 stars/5
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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