Sports Shorts August 12

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 | 12-Aug-2011 11.00

’SAYE CAUSE UPSET
STRATHFIELDSAYE produced the surprise of the Bendigo Football Netball League’s A Grade netball round on the weekend.
The sixth-placed Strathfieldsaye defeated third-placed Sandhurst 44 to 37.
In other A Grade netball results, ladder leaders Golden Square snuck past Kangaroo Flat 36 to 32 at Dower Park, Eaglehawk trounced Castlemaine 62-22 and Gisborne easily defeated South Bendigo 59-29
This weekend’s round of matches should be a corker, with a number of tight games expected.
Eaglehawk will host Kangaroo Flat and Sandhurst will play Gisborne. All of these sides are in the top five, next to each other on the ladder.
Castlemaine hosts Strathfieldsaye and Golden Square hosts Maryborough

LACROSSE WIN
BENDIGO’S lacrosse team had a 14-8 win over Melbourne University on Sunday.
Despite the poor conditions, the Bendigo team’s intensity and strong defence won the day.
The side plays Eltham this weekend.

DRAGONS FIRE
SANDHURST’S late-season good form in the Bendigo Football Netball League’s Senior Football competition continued on the weekend, with a three-goal win over Strathfieldsaye.
The win puts the Dragons even with Strath, one win out of the top four.
The Dragons won the match in the first quarter, kicking 5.3 to 1.1. Strathfieldsaye came back with a five-goal-to-three second term, with both sides kicking five in the third quarter.
The Dragons kicked 4.3 to 3.3 in the final term to run out winners.
In other matches, Castlemaine went down to Eaglehawk 11.7.73 to 14.13.97, Gisborne held off South Bendigo to win 15.22.112 to 12.13.85, Maryborough had a 77-point win over Kyneton and Golden Square’s undefeated run continued with a 94-point trouncing of Kangaroo Flat.
Square full forward Grant Weeks kicked seven goals for the match, to take his tally to the year to 100.
Sandhurst will be able to test their progress on the weekend, when they take on Gisborne at Gardiner Reserve.
In other matches this weekend, Eaglehawk hosts Kangaroo Flat, South Bendigo travels to Kyneton, Golden Square takes on Maryborough at home and Strathfieldsaye hosts Castlemaine.

MINERS BLOW IT
THE Fighting Miners’ chance hopes of hosting a Victorian Rugby Union minor semi-final were dashed when they went down 12-24 to the Puckapunyal Boars on Saturday.
After a dour first half arm wrestle, in which the only score was a try by Puckapunyal on the stroke of half-time, the match opened up in the second half as the Boars ran in four tries to the Miners two.
The match exposed the deficiencies of the Miners’ limited game plan.
If their opponents can shut down the hit-ups of the big Bendigo forwards, there is no plan B.
Against Puckapunyal, the Bendigo scrum was solid but not dominant, the line-outs satisfactory but indiscipline at the breakdown is still costing too many penalties.
The Miners take on the Border Army Dogs at Shadforth Park this weekend.

SPIRIT LUNCHEON
THE Bendigo Spirit will host a Gallic Club Luncheon at the Bendigo racecourse next Friday.
Cyclist Scott McGrory will be the MC, with interviews with the Spirit players and officials throughout the event.
Tickets for the three-course lunch and drinks are $70 and can be made via email at m.gibbs@bendigo.countryracing.com.au

JUNIOR JETS
The Strathfieldsaye Cricket Club will hold its junior registration day at its Tannery Lane clubrooms this Sunday.
Registrations will be accepted for the under 9, 11, 13, 15 and 17 age groups. Registration fees are $75 for this summer, which remain unchanged from last year.
The club has a new junior shirt for under 15s and below, which are costed at $35.
Any parent wanting to sign their child up with The Jets, can do so between 10am and 2pm.
Call junior coordinator Steve Brown for more information on 0439 433 470.