Burns may continue this week
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 | 30-Oct-2012
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The burn-off in Golden Square today.
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Locals can expect to see more smoke in the air over the coming days as the Department of Sustainability and Environment and Parks Victoria continue the spring planned burning program.
DSE Murray Goldfields acting district manager Paul Bates said township protection burns will be undertaken near Kangaroo Flat, Golden Square and Eaglehawk this week.
“These strategic asset protection planned burns are part of an integrated plan to reduce bushfire risk to people, property and highly valued assets,” he said.
“For example, we conducted a 20-hectare fuel reduction burn in Golden Square that is adjacent to homes and the Specimen Hill Reservoir. “
Asset protection burns close to towns have also been undertaken in the past week near Heathcote, Avoca, Maryborough and Rushworth.
DSE also conducted burns at Golden Square, York, Street Eaglehawk, Letheby’s Road Eaglehawk, Kangaroo Flat and Avoca .
“We have also been burning in more remote areas, which aim to reduce the speed and intensity of future bushfires and protect nearby assets from ember spotting,” Mr Bates said.
“This is important because smaller and less intense fires have less chance of growing to a size that will cause damage to communities and the environment.
“In the past week this has included planned burns near Inglewood, St Arnaud, Landsborough, Talbot, Wedderburn and Bendigo.”
Weather is the biggest challenge for the planned burning program, and the Bureau of Meteorology is working closely with DSE and Parks Victoria.
“A forecast change means we will probably not burn again until the weekend,” Mr Bates said.
DSE and Parks Victoria have conducted about 30 burns totalling 5,500 hectares during this year’s spring planned burning program in the Murray Goldfields Fire District.
To find out where and when burns are likely to happen within 10 days, weather permitting, visit www.dse.vic.gov.au/burns, call the Victorian Bushfires Information Line on 1800 240 667 or download the FireReady smart phone application to see burns on a map.
Nearby residents and visitors may see or smell smoke while the burns are carried out.
Sometimes roads and parks may need to close, road travel may be hazardous due to low visibility from smoke and smoke can affect some people’s health.
The Department of Health advises people experiencing any symptoms that may be due to smoke exposure to seek medical advice or call Nurse on Call on 1300 606 024.
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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