Playing in the Meadow
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 | 22-Sep-2011 11.30am
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FASHION DESIGNER: Kane Barri.
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By Megan Spencer
I relish meeting those with the courage to back themselves. Especially people determined to make it work in their home town when the odds could be stacked against them.
Such can be the case in the arts and related areas, living in regional Australia.
Attitides are hard to shift, creativity isn’t always embraced, and bringing change to a country town – even one as big as Bendigo – isn’t always easy. Especially when it comes to things like fashion and design.
Kane Barri is one such person. Born and bred in Bendigo – save for two years living in Melbourne apprenticing in the fashion industry – he opened boutique The Meadow in 2009, which he runs with wife Matisse.
He’s also a fashion designer: half of the now-paused Kosi Kosi label, which he and Melbourne-based grapho Kyle Mac grew from scratch until work and geography got in the way, after a successful two years.
And now BAST, the men’s clothing line which will have its full collection launch come the end of October ($8 of every T-shirt is donated to men’s charity).
Located in View Street, The Meadow is part of the council-dubbed Arts Precinct. Next to the various galleries, I’m not sure you could say all of the boutiques, hairdressers, antiques shops, cafes and the gun shop along that strip quite qualify as the arts, but certainly The Meadow could.
Walk in and you’re greeted with quite the design experience. Two hundred year-old red bricks burst through white plaster; street lanterns jut from walls; animal sculptures made from wax and other materials greet you from nooks and crannies.
New vinyl records and serious pop books wink at you, while a carpet of astro-turf offers itself to your feet.
The accessories are pieces sculpted from all manner of everyday things (forks, spoons, etc), not the usual generics spewed from a Chinese factory.
Then there are the clothes…
When we meet, I ask Kane whether he thinks clothes can be considered wearable art, especially given the quirks in the design of the many he stocks.
He pauses, genuinely trying to answer, not sound evasive. “I can’t say I think about it that much”, he laughs. “I know that sounds weird, but I try to not get hung up about the colours, trends, and what we do here.
“We wanted to bring a taste of Melbourne and Sydney to Bendigo, but without all the attitude (read BS) that goes with it”.
Now 25, Kane spent a lot of time dreaming – and researching – before opening The Meadow.
“I’m a big dreamer!” he laughs.
He and Matisse wanted to bring a boutique to Bendigo that meant people didn’t have to travel to Melbourne to find good labels.
And create a space that, while well-designed with a particular aesthetic, was inclusive and not exclusive. To create a community.
He cites Robe in Chancery Lane as being one of the early local ground breakers. “They paved the way by bringing labels Bendigo had never even heard of here,” Kane says, paying dues. “It was risky”.
Has he then regionalised that kind of handmade, slick, inner-city chic that is automatically afforded to big cities?
“Definitely!” he agrees after we wrestle with the many paradoxes that go with opening a perceived cool clothing venue in a country centre.
“Design would be my outlet” he says, thinking further. “But I’m really a country boy at heart. I don’t really go out or drink, I’m into family, I like the footy – I’m a bit dorky really!”
Sure I smile, just a really well-dressed one…
The Meadow donates $8 from every BAST T-shirt sold to a men’s charity, which changes every 10 weeks. $866 was raised in its last campaign, going to the Motor Neurone Disease Association. www.inthemeadow.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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