Students call for action on Fortuna
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 | 24-Jun-2011
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GOLDEN DAYS: GOLDEN DAYS: Drew Fitzsimmons, Zoe Hilson, Mason Conquer, Lachlan Catto and Balea Collins. Photo: ANDREW PERRYMAN
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The history theme for the grade threes at Girton Grammar School this term is “significant people, significant buildings”, so it was inevitable they would bump up against George Lansell everywhere they turned in Bendigo.
“We’ve been learning about Bendigo and its history,” teacher Rachelle Fisher said.
“So, of course we found out about Lansell, and the whole history of how Lansell ended up in Fortuna.
“Bendigo is built on the solid foundations of gold, and yet our students are not able to see where the biggest part of their history comes from.”
Firing up Bendigo’s youngest historians, Ms Fisher invited president of the Friends of Fortuna action group Patrick Thwaites to talk to the class about the Villa’s history.
Along with stories about all the resident ghosts of the 19th-century mansion, Mr Thwaites brought the students up to date on the fortunes of Fortuna.
“They were very interested, and upset that they couldn’t go and look at it,” Ms Fisher said.
“They said we should write to someone who can help make the change, and we decided that if those who own it are too busy, then we should start smaller and go from there.”
Those busy people who own Fortuna Villa are the Defence Department of the Commonwealth Government, who are currently – apparently – in talks with the State Government and the local council about the best way forward to preserve the site.
Heritage Victoria is poised to consider registering the site, and the previous state government making the first step towards funding for a cultural centre with commercial potential.
The project is now stalled at the tough planning stage.
Meanwhile, despite costing about $900,000 each year simply to maintain, the site is off-limits to Bendigonians young and old.
“Jim Evans from the Bendigo Historical Society told our students they are all members of the society,” Ms Fisher said.
“He told them this is your history, your town, and they became very excited as they started to discover their local history.
“We’ve never done local history before, and we’re all learning so much.”
The letters to the editor gave the young historians a chance to voice their concerns about Fortuna and their desire to see this grand mansion; it was also an opportunity for Ms Fisher to help them formulate a persuasive argument.
Like any good lobby group, they enumerate their points: first, second and third – and conclude with a succinct call to action.
As Esther said in her letter: “It has been there for a long time: we want our children to see this amazing building one day.”
“Fortuna Villa has LOADS of history, value and beautiful architecture.” Anika and Scarlett
“I believe Fortuna Villa should not be locked up because it is full of history. Most people would agree with me.” Simone
“We have seen many beautiful photos of this great building and we really want to see this beautiful house in real life.” Finn and Zoe
“Fortuna Villa had some gold on the roof but people scraped it off. The house should be available for everybody in Bendigo to see this historical place.” Leo
“We want it to become the most visited museum in the world.” Chelsea and Georgia
“The house is valuable and is full of history and has a lot of stories for the future generations to learn about Fortuna Villa.” Lachlan
“We love Fortuna Villa. We should watch out for the ghosts there.” Peter and Stuart
“George Lansell was the first millionaire in Australia and he lived there. There are even amazing quotes about Shakespeare on the glass windows and in pictures the glass room looks amazing.” Jessica
“We heard the story of the perfume ghost that lives there and we are sure it smells nice. What a great way to bring people to Bendigo with stories about ghosts.” Alex
“I would be very happy if you reopened Fortuna Villa. If the other letters do not reopen it then this one should.” Joel
“The magnificent fountain, where would you see that? In Fortuna Villa!” Drew
“You are spending so much money with the guards so why not spend some more to reopen Fortuna Villa to the public.” Noah
“They say that when the Defence Force moved in that they may have painted over the solid gold on the ceiling and that is a fact I would like to know. I also want to see real gold with my own eyes.” Zahli
“Some people think that there are three ghosts there. A perfume ghost that smells like jasmine. The other two are George Lansell’s dogs that bark at people when they are going past.” Millie
“The City of Greater Bendigo should make it into a museum or an art gallery.” James
“Heaps of people would like to see it.” Sophie and Baelea
“Bendigo Council should take responsibility and make Fortuna into a museum or an art gallery.” Esther
“Villa Fortuna should not be locked up!” Dominic and Lachlan
“In conclusion we hope it can be opened to the public again.” Michael
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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