Battle still on for Hawkei
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 | 16-Dec-2011 1.54pm
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UPBEAT: Steve Gibbons has taken a positive slant on Thales’ future. Photo: ANDREW PERRYMAN. More photos at www.bendigophotos.com
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BENDIGO’S Thales factory has failed to win a major Federal Government contract, but has “potentially” won another.
Up to 1300 light fully armoured protected vehicles may be built at Bendigo’s Thales plant, in a contract worth up to $1.5 billion.
However, Thales failed in its bid to build the Bushmaster Ute light truck bid under Land 121 Phase 3, valued at $1.9 billion.
Member for Bendigo Steve Gibbons said Thales had won a “potential” bid to take the Hawkei vehicle for the Australian Defence Force to the next level.
That announcement will not be made until 2015.
”Thales will now receive substantial financial assistance from the Commonwealth to progress to the contract negotiation phase of the program,” he said.
“Subject to contract negotiations and successful construction and development of up to six prototype variants, final government approval for the program is expected in 2015 with full production to commence in early 2016.
“Thales Bendigo will also receive Commonwealth financial assistance to further upgrade the blast protection levels on the highly successful Bushmaster vehicles already deployed or to be deployed in Afghanistan.”
Mr Gibbons said the Federal Government was aware of the gap in production between the conclusion of the current Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle program and the potential start of the new Hawkei production program.
“The Federal Government and Thales are currently working through options to cover this gap as the government is keen to ensure Thales maintains the critical skills level in Bendigo in order to be fully prepared for the Hawkei production program,” he said.
“I was disappointed Thales was unsuccessful in winning the Bushmaster Ute light truck bid under Land 121 Phase 3”.
Opposition Senator Michael Ronaldson said Mr Gibbons was either being ignorant or deliberately misleading the community over claims Thales had won a $1.5 billion defence contract.
“There is no contract on the table for signing to build the Hawkei vehicle in Bendigo. There have not even been negotiations,” he said.
“Mr Gibbons’ claims are not even backed up by his own Defence Minister who says there will be no contract signed before 2015 – that’s four years away.
“It’s a sham and a joke and the people of Bendigo, particularly those who work at Thales, have every reason to be offended.”
Senator Ronaldson said the Gillard Government had announced that both the Hawkei and the US Joint Light Tactical Vehicle would be monitored before any contracts were signed.
“The Gillard Government has not committed to the Hawkei, there is no $1.5 billion contract, there have been no negotiations and Steve Gibbons’ claims are a total farce,” he said.
Senator Ronaldson said the report of Defence contract announcements for light vehicles by the government was “bitterly disappointing” 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.”
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