Bowled a maiden

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

HOWZAT: Tamara Mason is out batting for Ringwood against Kangaroo Flat.

Women’s cricket in Bendigo will continue to grow as the Twenty20 version remains a viable introduction to the traditional format of the game.

Speaking after Essendon Maribrynong Park/Western Waves beat Ringwood in the grand final of the women’s division of Bendigo Country Week by 46 runs to win the Melanie Jones Shield, Cricket Victoria female cricket officer Di Day said Twenty20 was an exciting, quick and accessible option for women wanting to learn the skills of cricket.

“Twenty20 is very suited to women, it’s a lot more inclusive and it’s not too big a commitment, running at just over two hours of play,” she said.

“Women’s cricket will definitely continue to grow if we get those two important factors right.”

Nearly 50 girls contested the third running of the women’s competition. Day said it enabled many people to compete, including a woman with Down syndrome, from Mallee Murray.

“She had a ball, and just goes to show what women’s cricket is all about, giving people a go,”
she said.