Short term
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.”
Anthony Radford | Bendigo Weekly | 27-Jan-2012
THE City of Greater Bendigo council is considering giving chief executive officer Craig Niemann only an interim contract extension later this year.
Mr Niemann was appointed in December, 2007, after the death of John McLean three months earlier.
With his contract up in December, shortly after the election, council is considering leaving Mr Niemann’s long-term future on hold and in the hands of the new council.
Council will decide in the middle of the year whether to re-appoint Mr Niemann permanently.
A move to do otherwise would be seen as controversial, given Mr Niemann’s support among council staff and the community and business sectors.
However, council is looking at all its options, including re-advertising and leaving the decision up to the new council.
Mr Niemann received a pay rise of up to $10,000 last financial year, bringing his salary to somewhere between $270,000 and $279,999.
Epsom Ward councillor Lisa Ruffell said it was good governance to look at options other than re-appointment.
“If you are going to lock someone in for four years, it is wrong to do it in an election year,” she said.
“We should do an extension of, say, 12 months, and then let the new council decide.
“That is how I am thinking.”
Cr Ruffell said a new council may have a different opinion on Mr Niemann and his performance.
“We were locked into a lot of things when we came in, such as the mall, and the new council shouldn’t be locked into anything,” she said.
Eaglehawk Ward councillor Peter Cox acknowledged all options were on the table.
“Council brought forward the awarding of the contract to June 30 this year, from the end of the year,” he said.
“Option one is to review with Craig and assess his performance and reappoint him.
“Another option is we invite Craig to apply for his position and advertise it, which lays it all out on the table.
“Another option is the one Lisa is talking about, in that it be reviewed in 12 months by the new council.”
Cr Cox said he was unsure which option he preferred.
“I’ll be considering the options when they are presented to me with all the information,” he said.
“It is good it is being considered at the end of the financial year because you get much better information as to whether the performance targets have been met.
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.”
any extension. Do some councillors truly believe that they should be changing the CEO with every new council?surely they can see the value of some continuity. Do they think it is fair to ask somebody who has given them outstanding service to just put hos life
on hold while the new councillors look him up and down and make a decision? Councillors need to be very careful here because I'm sure that Mr Neiman is very well regarded in local Government circles and I'm sure his service would be appreciated elsewhere.
Secondly, other local Government executives will be watching this rubbish, so don't be surprised with the modest number of applicants next time around.