Call for more women in local government
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 | 13-Nov-2011 9.26
Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell and Minister for Women’s
Affairs Mary Wooldridge today called for more women to consider
nominating themselves for council elections in 2012.
Officially opening the first Think Women for Local Government 2012 forum
in Euroa, North East Victoria, Mrs Powell said through the provision of
community support and encouragement for women considering candidacy, the
under-representation of women at the local government level could start
to be addressed.
“In Victoria there are more women than men but fewer than 30 per cent of
the state’s councillors are female. There are 14 councils with only one
female councillor, while a small number of councils are without a female
councillor at all,” Mrs Powell said.
Minister Wooldridge said the Victorian Coalition Government recognised
the imbalance and wanted to see significant representation of women in
all aspects of community life.
“We are providing $200,000 to fund the Think Women for Local Government
2012 project to encourage women in regional and metropolitan areas to
actively consider candidacy at the upcoming council election,” Ms
Wooldridge said.
“As in all aspects of public life, women add value to local government
through their skills, talents and perspectives. Having women councillors
adds to the richness of the representation and debate about important
local issues.”
The Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA) is leading the work to
deliver this project, which is funded by the Victorian Office of Women’s
Policy.
Speaking as a former Councillor, Shire President and Commissioner, Mrs
Powell said working in local government provided an opportunity to
address the issues you believed in, and contribute to the policy and
programs that had a direct impact on your community.
“I encourage any woman who believes they have something to contribute
and want to give back to their community to consider standing for their
local council,” Mrs Powell said.
Elections for Victoria’s 79 local government areas are run every four
years and the next elections are scheduled for October 2012.
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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