REVIEW: Interactive books

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 | 17-Jun-2011 3pm

Movie Maker: Everything You Need to Know to Create Films on Your Mobile Phone or Digital Camera!

Tim Grabham

Walker Books, $34.95

Amazing Pop-Up Big Machines

Robert Crowther

Walker Books, $25.95

Legendary Journeys: Trains (The Slide-Out, Lift Up, See Through Story of World-Famous Trains and Railways)

Philip Steele

Walker Books, $39.95

An exciting set of interactive texts await readers this winter and Walker Books lead the parade with imaginative paper-craft, colour and technique.These three titles will have wide appeal – challenging the young mind, and kindling nostalgia, amongst the older.
Each book carries an informative dialogue and is clearly illustrated. Topical histories are accessible, while building instructions (and materials) are provided where relevant (Movie Maker and Big Machines) - as presented, the volumes carry genuine scope for reader interaction.
Movie Maker is an all class feature – guiding the reader towards independent movie production. Empowering and learner centered, the kit is inclusive of Clapperboard Box, press-out props and sound effects CD. A notable inclusion is the Directors Handbook, featuring star techniques, hints from professional film-makers and other 'notables' from within the industry. A digital camera and or mobile phone are pre-requisites for production – so please consider this, should the item be intended for gift-giving.
Amazing, Pop-Up Big Machines encompasses 5 machines and 28 work sites – each powered to life by reader imagination. Hook up a busy farmer's tractor, maneuver a tall crane, and discover the many uses for a dumper – surprise after surprise await! All paper-craft is precisely manufactured, creating a 'real-life' stage for machines and the young reader / operator.

Legendary Journeys: Trains (The Slide-Out, Lift Up, See Through Story of World-Famous Trans and Railways) is an international history of the train and railway system. Featuring the steam locomotive through to modern, high-speed rail systems, the text is both a source of social history and interactive delight. Slide out carriages, lift and flip pages are cleverly structured – enabling the reader to travel in time as both passenger and observer. A reference for major rail inventions, and engineering feats, Legendary Journeys is in itself a legendary production.