Community gardens 'wrecked'

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.”

Steve Kendall | Bendigo Weekly | 30-Oct-2012

Elaine McNamara (centre) with local volunteers unhappy with the fourth spate of vandalism to the Kangaroo Flat Community Garden.

VANDALS have wrecked three garden beds at the Kangaroo Flat Community Group.

Co-ordinator Elaine McNamara said it was the fourth time it had happened.

“It is soul destroying to find the work the volunteers have put in has been wrecked,” she said.

“I am sure it is the work of children, and would urge parents to know where their children are when they are not at home.

“There is a well equipped playground adjoining our Community Garden where the children can play, but they seem to prefer our garden beds.”

The first time the garden was wrecked one of the neighbours planted out vegetables and herbs only to come in next day and find them in a heap.

Mrs McNamara urged anyone seeing people destroy the garden to call the police.

“Our Men in Sheds built the garden beds up high so people with a disability could spend their time tending the gardens. It’s always the same beds which are wrecked.”