Down to earth
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.”
Anthony Radford | Bendigo Weekly | 02-Sep-2011
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GROUND BREAKING: Keith Macdonald and his no-dig vegie garden.
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Spring has sprung and it’s time to bring your inner gardener out of hibernation.
Whether you want to be more self-sufficient, save money, be more environmentally aware or just grow and enjoy your own fresh and tasty produce, spring is a great time to start a kitchen garden.
Keith Macdonald of Macdonald’s Nursery was kept busy at his no-dig garden demonstrations last weekend with plenty of participants in both sessions.
“Gardens are in, we have had strong demand for the grow-your-own varieties the past few weeks,” Keith said.
“During the winter months, the bare-rooted fruit trees were popular and now it’s the berries. Rambler types like raspberries, blackberries and boysenberries are easily controlled and can be grown in a small space. Blueberries are a shrub and can be grown in containers.”
Keith’s no-dig garden design is ideal for unit dwellers or those with limited garden space and it’s cheap and simple to construct. A few masonry blocks (all the better if they have holes in them) placed directly on the ground, even on concrete. Place a layer of sugar cane mulch and finish off with a mix of compost, zoo poo and cow manure.
Keith planted broccoli, lettuce, rocket, baby spinach and spring onions in his garden and the spinach is ready to pick after only four weeks. He cleverly included strawberry plants in the holes in the blocks.
“It may look small and the plants too close together, but they will support each other as they grow and when you start to harvest them more space is created,” Keith said.
“I can’t imagine a season without home-grown tomatoes, the early ones are available now but be sure to protect them from the frost.
“Ideally, cover them with a geothermal fabric and leave it on. It will create a warm atmosphere during the day and warm the ground to promote strong growth.”
Spring is also a good time to plant strawberries, spinach, potatoes, rocket, beetroot, onions, broad beans, parsley, tarragon, mint, coriander and lemongrass.
Check out the recipe file on this website for a baby spinach, roast pumpkin and ricotta pizza recipe.
Get the kids to help make it for lunch on Father’s Day or try it for your next picnic.
It’s also time to plant those giant pumpkin seeds we gave away earlier in the year. If you need more seeds or tips go to www.atlanticseeds.com.au. They have a wealth of information on successfully producing giant pumpkins.
Watch this space for details of our biggest pumpkin growing competition.
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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