$1.5m for Bendigo homeless project

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 | Bendigo Weekly | 13-Apr-2012

A joint initiative developed by five community agencies has gained $1.5 million funding under the Victorian Homelessness Action plan.

Back on Track will work with real estate agents to provide "an early intervention and prevention service to people whose tenancies are at risk".

The project will be jointly managed by Haven, Advocacy and Rights Centre, Centre for Non-Violence (which runs the Loddon Mallee Homelessness office), Cobaw Community Health Service and St Luke's Anglicare.

The funding was announced this morning by Minister for Housing Wendy Lovell.

The project is one of 10 Innovation Action Projects across the state, which have received a total of $15m for "stage one" trials.

Minister Lovell said some funding will be available to "upscale" project that show early success, with a further $10m available in 2013-14 for a stage-two continuation of projects that are deemed successful.

"We received a range of proposals from the sector which we assessed against stringent selection criteria and those which demonstrated innovation, strong partnership and a focus on delivering outcomes were selected," Ms Lovell said.