More dirt from a local author
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.”
Rosemary Sorensen | Bendigo Weekly | 10-Feb-2012
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HONEST: Katrina Nannestad. Photo: ANDREW PERRYMAN
»
Huntly author Katrina Nannestad thinks of herself as a “closet writer”, not much given to chatting while she’s actually in the process of story-making.
Talking to the children who read her books, however, is something she loves to do.
“I’m really private when I’m writing,” she says.
“It’s really only my own two children, who are now 15 and 17, who I try it out on, and I certainly have put them into characters – teenage boys are hilarious.
“Then, when I go into schools to talk to groups, I find that just amazing.
“Kids are so enthusiastic, and they can say things that are so beautiful.”
Katrina has just released Red Dirt Diary 2: Blue About Love.
It picks up the story of 12-year-old Blue Weston, who lives on a farm near Dubbo. Katrina herself grew up in Wagga Wagga in central New South Wales.
“I wrote the first one during the drought, aiming to make a story that was also fun and humorous,” she says.
“Now Blue is coming to terms with love and romance.”
Katrina, who has taught on and off and who still teaches casually in Bendigo, is launching Blue About Love on Valentine’s Day next week, at the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic School in Elmore.
“I particularly like writing for children,” she says.
“I have ideas and occasionally launch into a novel for adults, but I like the freshness of writing for children.
“I think when I try to write for adults, I get too wordy, worrying about what an adult might want.
“It’s hard when you analyse too much.
“Writing for kids, I feel free to be a little more honest.”
Blue’s story was originally going to be a one-off, but the book went well, and Katrina found herself unwilling to let go of her characters.
“There’s just so much more these people can be doing,” she says.
“A school newspaper starts up in the third book, and I’ve got ideas for another one.
“I’m waiting to see how this one goes.”
Red Dirt Diary 2: Blue About Love by Katrina Nannestad is published by ABC Books, $14.99.
- Rosemary Sorensen
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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