Discount desex to ease woes

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 | 10-Sep-2012

The council's discount scheme will cut down the number of unwanted pets.

The City of Greater Bendigo and the RSPCA are offering discount vouchers to residents which will save $40 on the cost of having their cat desexed.

City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Alec Sandner said the average cost of having a male cat desexed is $75 while the average cost for a female cat is $120.

In addition to the $40 voucher, residents will also save an additional 10 per cent by having the procedure performed by one of these participating local vets - Bendigo Animal Hospital, White Hills Animal Hospital, Passionate Vetcare and Kangaroo Flat and McIvor Road Veterinary Clinics.

“There are currently over 5,700 registered cats in Greater Bendigo and 150 vouchers are available on a first come first served basis as part of a joint effort by the City and the RSPCA to promote responsible pet ownership,” Cr Sandner said.

“The vouchers are available from today and can be collected from the City of Greater Bendigo offices in Bendigo and Heathcote. All cats over the age of three months must be registered to be eligible to collect a discount voucher.”

RSPCA Bendigo Shelter Manager Mark Goodwin said a cat is able to be desexed from just eight weeks of age. The operation is undertaken by a vet and is a straight forward procedure that causes minimal discomfort to the animal. Most pets are fully recovered within 24 hours.

“The cat overpopulation crisis in Victoria is of serious concern. Desexing dramatically reduces the problem of unwanted kittens and can also result in positive behavioural changes. A desexed cat is less prone to wander, fight with other cats and is less likely to mark its territory by spraying in the house.

“One female cat can have three breeding seasons in one year,” said Mr Goodwin.

“It is our goal to reduce the number of unwanted cats in our community and one of the best ways to do this is by getting your cat desexed. We hope cat owners in Bendigo take advantage of this great offer and help the City of Greater Bendigo and the RSPCA tackle this problem.”