Borough hotel row heats up
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.”
Rosemary Sorensen | Bendigo Weekly | 17-Feb-2012
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NO TO THE HOTEL: Bakery owner Marie Bolding, left, and coffee shop owner Michelle Webster make their stance clear.
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Eaglehawk traders and residents have delivered to the City of Greater Bendigo council more than 100 new objections to the proposed Victoria Hotel development.
Wednesday was the deadline for new objections against Ivar and Tonya Hunt’s amended proposal for a 21-room accommodation facility at the Borough’s central crossroad.
The new objections doubled the number already lodged with council when the proposal was first made last year, prompting heated community response.
“People hadn’t even realised another proposal had been put up,” coffee shop proprietor Michelle Webster said.
“There’s a lot of concern and a lot of fear about what’s going to happen to our community.
“We want people to know we are not against the fact there is a need for low-cost accommodation – it’s the location we’re against.
“We’re doing this (objecting) for everyone.”
Resident and spokesperson Aaron Wales said a group of objectors recently met with council town planner Bryce Killian.
“He commented that the proposal is not breaching any planning regulations, so it was a ‘tough luck’ kind of thing,” Mr Wales said.
“It seems that it’s a matter of, just because you’ve got a lot of money, you can do what you like, even if it goes against what the community wants.
“No one is saying this kind of accommodation shouldn’t be around, but this is the centre of Eaglehawk.
“If they wanted to do it at View Point (on Pall Mall), I’m sure the council wouldn’t let it happen there.”
Council Planning and Development director Prue Mansfield said because of the high number of objections (over 200) there may not be the usual offer of a consultation meeting between proposer and objectors.
“It may not be practical,” Ms Mansfield said.
“But we have a very clear message from the objectors.”
She said the proposal will go to council at the end of March or early April.
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.”
