Cricket wicket has its ups and downs
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.”
Ben Cameron | Bendigo Weekly | 25-Nov-2011 3.48PM
CRICKET will return to the Queen Elizabeth Oval this weekend, despite concerns still existing about the height of the wicket.
However, a match scheduled for next week has been moved.
The Bendigo Weekly online revealed on Tuesday the Bendigo District Cricket Association thought the newly-dropped-in wicket unsuitable for play, because it had not yet settled.
BDCA secretary John Hecker said no matches would be played at the QEO until after Christmas.
The City of Greater Bendigo council denied the pitch was too high for play.
However, a meeting the following between the City of Greater Bendigo council, the BDCA and the Bendigo and Bendigo United clubs, who are due to play on the wicket on Saturday, overturned the BDCA ruling.
Bendigo president Tony Fitzpatrick admitted there was a rise at both ends of the pitch, the club would “bite the bullet” and play United.
“Nobody knows how it will play,” Fitzpatrick admitted.
“I’m far from convinced it will be perfect, we’ll just see how it goes.
“(City of Greater Bendigo’s) Roger Barbetti said it’s right to go, so we’re going to get on with it and see what happens.
“Ideally we’d wait a bit longer.”
However, council requested that Bendigo’s Twenty20 match next Wednesday night at the QEO, be played elsewhere.
Earlier, Hecker was in no doubt: “The pitch is just a bit too high,” he said.
“It hasn’t sunk enough, which makes it very difficult for bowlers.
“It may need to be levelled off at both ends, I’m not sure at this stage.”
Mr Barbetti denied the pitch was unsafe.
“We are ready to go this weekend, the date we said it would be ready, unless they advise me otherwise,” he said.
Mr Barbetti said he would be surprised if teams refused to play on safety grounds.
“There is a slight surface level change, but it is almost identical to (Tannery Lane) Strathfieldsaye.”
Mr Barbetti said the pitch that was ready for play was fine, but acknowledged there was some swelling on the wicket table.
“Where it has swelled up it is now going down with intense rolling and preparation,” he said.
“One corner has swelled up, but teams won’t be playing on that side of the table until after Christmas.”
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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