Young guns battle it out

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 | 20-Jan-2012

STRONG COMPETITION: Hadleigh Sirett bowling for Northern United. Photo: Andrew Perryman

It’s been all about development for Bendigo Blue in Division Three of Bendigo Country Week.
The colt team, comprising some of Bendigo’s up-and-coming talent, went down in their first three games of the competition, losing to Deniliquin by 128 runs on Monday, 41 runs to Northern United and Kyabram Colts by eight wickets.
Team captain Lincoln Jacobs said Isaac Hogan (114 runs at 38) and Jake Klemm (59 runs at 29.5) had stood out with the bat while Jayden Sheahan (best bowling of 3/32) had performed well with the ball.
“The competition has been really strong, so it’s been a great experience for some of the BDCA’s young players,” Jacobs said.
Round 11 of the BDCA starts this Saturday afternoon with a grand final rematch between Strathdale-Maristians and Bendigo United, White Hills take on Golden Square, Strathfieldsaye are at home to Huntly/North Bendigo, Bendigo will try to make it two from two against Kangaroo Flat while Eaglehawk battle it out with Sandhurst to stay in touch with the top four.