Power riding for a good cause
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.”
Eddie Barkla | Bendigo Weekly | 17-Nov-2011 12.33PM
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DELIGHTED: Team manager Eddie is proud of his riders’ achievements. Photo: NEIL GLADMAN
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Can you cast your mind back to 2002 and what you may have been doing around this time of year?
For a small, very diverse, group of riders known as the Powercor Peddlers it was the time they combined with the Bendigo Special Development School to undertake their first Port to Port cycling tour.
The then-principal and vice principal, Russell Honey and Bill Burns, both keen cyclists who had previously been involved with the Powercor Peddlers at Kalianna, were keen to try this relatively new event.
The two-day bicycle ride starts in Mildura and runs through Swan Hill and on to Echuca.
Cyclists leave the Mildura riverfront bright and early on Saturday morning and head down the Calder Highway.
At Hattah, they turn and ride on to Wemen for a break and refreshments.
Then it is on to the Murray Valley Highway with the Murray River over their left shoulder.
After a food break at Boundary Bend, the riders head for Swan Hill and a well-earned overnight break.
Sunday morning the riders are back in the saddle and look forward to about a five or six hour ride to Echuca making a total of 400km.
Like most things, when you first take them on, there is an air of anticipation of what might be in front of you as a team.
Some had used the Bay in a Day option of 210km as a training ride to test the legs and ability to recover.
After putting the call out to the general cycling community a strong team was rallied and we set off north with a very lean budget for food and accommodation.
Seeking out local sponsors for products that would be suitable was encouraging to say the least and a 10-year partnership was formed with Pasta Master.
Powercor management at Bendigo and Mildura were most supportive of the idea of having a team that rode through the middle of the business area in broad daylight.
A Powercor vehicle, cycling kit and other sponsor material was supplied to all in the team as well as accommodation at both Mildura and Swan Hill depots, sleeping on the floor to keep costs affordable.
Most of the riders were all in uncharted territory after reaching the 210km mark in distance travelled in any one ride, let alone backing up the next day on the bike for another 150km.
Necessity becomes the mother of invention.
The team was very fortunate to have Rob and Chris Grant attend as a rider and support.
Chris is a native of the northern end of the state and had the right contacts to add some special touches to the weekend.
The heat off the road was something we had not contemplated.
The team had to be kept hydrated with cold water, and it was important to work out what distance was appropriate to cover before making a stop to regroup and refuel.
Memories are a powerful part of life.
One of the most memorable moments among many was reaching Nyah in extreme heat and close to exhaustion to be greeted by Billy Burns with a huge bundle of hot chips with extra salt.
It seemed bizarre but certainly added some inspiration to the perspiration to continue.
Over the 10 years some 60 riders have joined the Powercor Team, raising around $20,000 for special needs students.
Looking forward to seeing you on the road soon, God willing.
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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