Letters to the editor (September 30)

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 | 29-Sep-2011 4.15pm

Government is committed to VCAL

The Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning, known as VCAL was introduced in 2003.

VCAL provides young Victorians an alternative to the VCE, giving them an alternative pathway to employment, further education and training.

Today, more than 18,000 Victorian students are undertaking VCAL. The Victorian Coalition Government supports this innovative education program.

Funding supporting students undertaking VCAL has increased year on year as enrolments grow.

In fact, this year, education funding supporting VCAL students in government schools will increase once more to accommodate a more than 8.5 per cent growth in student numbers, and we expect this growth to continue in future years.

However, recognising the maturity and wide adoption of the VCAL program across Victorian schools, the Government has ceased a coordination payment provided in the early years of the program to assist in the start up of programs and the development of new materials.

These changes bring VCAL in line with the VCE and VET in schools, where there is no specific coordination funding.

The Victorian Coalition Government is committed to the provision of a world-class education and training system, of which VCAL is an important component.

The government has demonstrated its commitment to education through its 2011/12 State Budget, which is providing more than $1billion in new funding to early childhood, school education and tertiary education and training.

Education Minister,

Martin Dixon MP

Let people decide

Once again supporters of homosexual marriage have allowed their fertile imaginations and biased thought processes to turn sound arguments against the proposal they support into fear driven hysteria and hate speech.

I feel for those people desperate to increase their political profile only to realise that their views are not universally shared.

Despite claims of national support for homosexuals to marry there appears to be a large number of people opposed to changing the marriage act.

Using the poisonous vitriol these people seem to prefer when attacking those opposing their views suggests they have difficulty accepting that others too have a point of view and are entitled to have it heard.

The claim that changing the Marriage Act with the stroke of the pen will remove harassment, reduce youth suicide and solve everything in between is just plain ideological nonsense.

The claim that the current wording of the Act is a licence to hate suggests that all people currently married are habitual haters of homosexuals. This is an insult and all married couples should receive an apology

Supporters of the proposal should put their writing skills to good use and lobby members of parliament to ensure a plebiscite is held on this issue.

Let the people decide, and let’s stop this acrimonious debate that can only create more harassment and bigotry within the community.

David Arscott,

Kangaroo Flat

Lack of support

I was very concerned to read that the Victorian Liberal National Government had again failed to match Labor’s support for a new Children’s Centre for Strathfieldsaye families.

Last November, Labor committed $1million to build a new Children’s Centre in Strathfieldsaye in partnership with the City of Greater Bendigo.

This much needed facility was identified as a priority by local families in a community survey I conducted last year.

Back then, the Liberal National Coalition failed to support a new Centre for Strathfieldsaye.

It is of great concern that the Minister for Early Childhood Development has failed to indicate her or her Government’s support for a new Centre, and pulled out the old ‘blame the Federal government’ line of defence.

This is a much needed Centre for a growing community with many young families which is why I worked hard to secure a commitment of $1million.

If the Victorian Liberal National Government wanted to it could commit to matching this funding for a new Children’s Centre today.

I will continue to support a new Children’s Centre for Strathfieldsaye and work to secure a commitment and funds from the Government.

Jacinta Allan MP,

Member for Bendigo East

A lost opportunity

It’s pretty clear now we’ve moved on.

What’s the point? They won’t listen to us anyway.

As soon as there is a spill-over or electoral upset nothing seems to change.

We’ve pretty much given up our right over council decisions regarding the future of our wonderful city.

Seems most folk don’t give two hoots nowadays.

I’m surprised I’m even penning a response.

Why should we bother with any input on council decisions?

Seems we’re all just happy to plod along with whatever council says is best for our community.

When I think of the Bendigo City Council I think of a mayor who seems to be great for publicity shots, but for most of the rest of the council clan, autocracy and absolutism are a couple of words that spring to mind.

But maybe I’m wrong? What do I know?

Nick C,
Bendigo