QEO pitch 'too high'
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.”
Ben Cameron | Bendigo Weekly | 21-Nov-2011 Earlier – Weekly again sets Bendigo's news agenda
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The QEO pitch has failed to settle in time.
»
BENDIGO cricketers may have to wait until after Christmas to play on the QEO, this time because the newly dropped-in pitch is too high.
Cricket was supposed to return to the city's premier sporting oval this weekend, after being out of action since the end of the football season.
However, Bendigo District Cricket Association secretary John Hecker has recommended to the City of Greater Bendigo council that play not begin on the QEO until the new year.
Hecker said the drop-in wicket currently sat too high for cricket to be played at the ground.
“The pitch is just a bit too high,” he said.
“It hasn’t sunk enough, which makes it very difficult for bowlers.
“It may need to be levelled off at both ends, I’m not sure at this stage.”
Hecker said he’d not received an official word from council yet.
Play had been scheduled to recommence at the QEO this Saturday in a B Grade fixture between Bendigo and Bendigo United.
The game will be shifted to Atkins Street.
Roger Barbetti of the City of Greater Bendigo council denied the pitch was unsafe.
He said it was ready to go, and had not heard from tenant Bendigo whether they were prepared to play on it this weekend.
"They can start on it on Saturday if they want," he said.
"We are ready to go this weekend, the date we said it would be ready, unless they advise me otherwise."
Mr Barbetti said he would be surprised if teams refused to play on safety grounds.
"There is a slight surface level change, but it is not dissimilar to a lot of other wicket tables around the place.
"It is almost identical to (Tannery Lane) Strathfieldsaye."
Mr Barbetti said the pitch that was ready for play was fine, but acknowledged there was some swelling on the wicket table.
"Where it has swelled up it is now going down with intense rolling and preparation," he said.
"One corner has swelled up, but teams won't be playing on that side of the table until after Christmas.
"The wicket that is ready is the one on the grandstand side and that is quite acceptable.
"As far as council is concerned the wicket is ready to go, pending advice from the Bendigo team on whether they want to play there or North Bendigo."
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.”
