Basketball boost for Bendigo

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 | 18-Jul-2012

City of Greater Bendigo mayor Cr Alec Sandner and Bendigo Junior Braves players at the Bendigo Stadium

Junior basketball in Bendigo will receive a significant boost next year, after the city was today awarded three major junior championships.

The Under 14 Gold Star Championships will be held at the Bendigo Stadium over three days next year from April 12-14, while the Under 16, U18 and U20 championships will be spread over two weekends on February 23-24 and March 16-17.

Over 5,000 people will visit Bendigo over the duration of the three tournaments, and all three will be staged in Bendigo again in 2014.

Bendigo Stadium Sports and Competitions manager Craig Green said winning the bidding process, that involved cities statewide, was a real battle.

"To win three of the four tenders was a terrific result, and to have the support of the City of Greater Bendigo played a crucial part in winning what is a very competitive bidding process,” Green said.

“It is not only good for the city economically speaking, but for junior basketball right around the Bendigo region, as it means teams like Maryborough and Castlemaine don’t have far to go to participate in the championships.” City of Greater Bendigo mayor Cr Alec Sandner was delighted with being awarded the tournaments.

“This announcement represents another sporting coup for the City of Greater Bendigo,” Cr Sandner said.

“We are certainly leading the way in major events, it’s going to be very exciting to see the state’s best junior basketballers on the Bendigo Stadium courts.”