Bus plan takes next step
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 | 23-Jul-2012
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Mitchell Street is set for big changes.
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PLANS to end the Mitchell Street bus chaos have taken the next step.
The City of Greater Bendigo council has approved a plan to build two large, modern shelters nearby the existing stops.
Two large signs using the latest technology will be built at the
shelters, telling people when the next bus is about to arrive, giving
them time to move to the stop.
The technology will also allow people to receive updates on their mobile phones about the progression of the buses.
The aim of the plan is to remove the congregation of travellers in the same spot, outside shops.
The plan is a compromise proposal after the previous State Government re-routed all CBD buses down Mitchell Street, angering traders and bus travellers.
The government is not budging on the route, but local traders are angry of the overcrowding on the Mitchell Street footpaths.
A plan to widen the footpaths and have buses stop in the
left-hand-lane of busy Mitchell Street was abandoned after ridicule from
the general community.
The compromise plan includes building a large bus shelter, suitable for 100 people, at the end of the Hargreaves Mall, and getting rid of the obelisk at the Mitchell Street end.
Council Presentation and Assets director Darren Fuzzzard said there was "very strong" support for the compromise plan, especially the use of technology.
"The introduction of a covered facility in the mall and opposite in Hargreaves St was (also) strongly supported," he said.
"Avoiding a change to the operation of Mitchell St, Hargreaves St and Bath Lane for motor vehicles was strongly supported.
"Several traders in Hargreaves St saw the proposal as a good site for Hargreaves St as it permits a u-turn for cars that doesn't currently exist."
The new plan includes removing the existing Hargreaves St bus stops, which the government, through Public Transport Victoria, has agreed with.
"PTV has agreed to this happening on the basis these buses are relocated to Mitchell Street in front of First National Real Estate," Mr Fuzzard said.
"This bus stop would also accommodate PTV's predicted future growth in services."
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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