Chasing diversity
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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FAIR WAY:Neangar golf course
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Bendigo’s busiest golf course is between a rock and a hard place.
Now Jackass Flat land has been rezoned for residential development, and with Eaglehawk in need of a “destination” function and meeting centre, Neangar Park Golf Club wants to cater for both communities.
But their own plans are running in parallel – and perhaps in opposition – to the bigger picture, which is the future of the sport across Bendigo.
“We had already started discussions about how to make our facilities a bridge between the two communities of Eaglehawk and Jackass Flat,” Neangar Park Golf Club manager Ray Garcia said this week.
“We are looking at more than just golf.
“We want to become a community facility, so local clubs can meet here, as well as a destination for people, to have a meal, to celebrate a birthday.
“There’s nothing like that here at all.”
Mr Garcia has been Neangar Park’s full-time manager for more than two years.
Before that, he was on the management committee of the not-for-profit organisation that owns and runs the 80-year-old club.
Last week, the club failed in a bid for a $10,000 grant from City of Greater Bendigo council towards a $40,000 feasibility study for extensions to their current clubrooms.
Mr Garcia said the club had hoped the grant would return to their coffers a $10,000 back-tax bill incurred when they sold land separated off when a road was re-routed two decades ago.
Sold for just under $250,000, the 2746 sq metre block had not been used as a recreational facility since that change, but nevertheless attracted back taxes under the sale.
While the tax cannot legally be waived, Mr Garcia said the club is still hoping council will reimburse them, so they can put the $10,000 towards their own feasibility study.
“We don’t want to create a financial white elephant,” he said.
“Every time we try to take a step forward the BDGA (Bendigo District Golf Association) put us on hold.”
Mr Garcia said the club continues to support the review of golf in Bendigo which council has planned, pending State Government funding.
“There are three golf courses lined up in this area (Neangar Park, Eaglehawk and Bendigo), and the review was going to try to come up with a solution.
“A merger would certainly improve the bottom line of our club by about $100,000.”
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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