City ready to Run for Dad

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 | 09-Jul-2012

FATHERS' Day will take on an added significance this year with the staging of the first ever Run for Dad fun run in Bendigo, to aid prostate cancer research.

The event has been organised by St John of God Hospital, and has the backing of Athletics Bendigo, the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and the Bendigo Weekly.

“Bendigo has a very strong prostate cancer support group and as far as we know, this is the first time in Victoria such an event has been staged to raise funds for men’s health,” St John of God Hospital chief executive officer Michael Hogan said.

Athletics Bendigo spokesman Charles Chambers said the fun run would form part of the club's calendar, and provide the entire community with a chance to raise money for prostate cancer research.

“The run will substantially follow the 6.5 km course used for the Keith Huddle Eaglehawk to Bendigo Fun Run (held October each year), which this year will be renamed Run for Dad and held in September," he said.

"We are aiming for 500 entries in our first year, from Bendigo and surrounds, plus further afield."

The fun run will be launched tomorrow.

This event will provide many sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, from cash donations to in-kind support.

Those interested are urged to contact Keith Macdonald at Macdonalds Nursery on 5443 4644 or Bronwyn Wheatley at St John of God Hospital on 5434 3255.