Docs in the zone

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 | 25-Oct-2012

HEALTH FOCUS: Stephen Lindsay will be lecturing.

ABOUT 70 urological surgeons and trainees from across Victoria will come together at the All Seasons Hotel this weekend.
The group will attend the Victorian Urology State Meeting to discuss the latest in the assessment and treatment of urological conditions including prostate and bladder cancer and urinary stone disease.
The conference begins on Friday with an educational course in treatment for early prostate cancer.
The trainees will hear from Bendigo urologist Stephen Lindsay and radiotherapist Andrew See with a series of lectures and a hands-on skills workshop in brachytherapy seed implantation.
The main scientific program runs over the weekend.
The event’s international guest is Elspeth McDougall of Los Angeles.
Dr McDougall is chair of the Office of Education of the American Urological Association and director of the Minimally Invasive Surgery Education Center at the University of California’s Irvine Medical Center.
She will be speaking on surgical education, minimally invasive surgery and urinary stone disease.
“We have been fortunate in attracting more than 50 abstract submissions, and there will be more than 30 surgeons and trainees presenting papers at the conference,” conference convenor Mr Lindsay said.
The group will attend a dinner at the Town Hall on Saturday night, as well as visit the city’s tourist attractions, including The Zone where they will play paintball.