Erik Parker uke master
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 | 16-Oct-2012
By SARAH WALTERS
Blond dreadlocks, a ukulele and a very big smile. This is Erik Parker.
An up-and-coming soloist from Frankston, this quirky fellow will be visiting Bendigo and most certainly leave his audience with a feeling of delight.
Erik has been playing music for most of his life, and after working with his band Hopwood for several years, he’s finally taken the leap into solo performances.
“I avoided playing my original songs solo for a long time because I didn’t feel like I could get anywhere without a band,” Erik said.
“I changed my mind this year and went about writing a solo set.
“The band situation changed when I kicked out the rhythm section, so this motivated me to write some different stuff. I took up the ukulele in June and it has been at every gig since.”
Erik’s solo music is entirely different from the music he performs with his band.
As a solo artist the music Erik produces sounds heart-warming, and is best described as honest.
Erik was hard to pin down on his influences.
“I never try to compare myself to my favourite artists, and I’m not sure that I’ve heard much that sounds like what I do,” he said.
“That’s not to say that I’m a pioneer in any way but I think if I write something that makes me sound like someone else I usually try to twist it as much as possible so any derivative sound or concept is buried by other ideas.
“I am influenced by everything I hear.
“In order to not evade the question completely I’ll say that Tom waits is my favourite singer, The Cruel Sea is my favourite band, and at the moment I’m weighing up whether Beck or Elliott Smith is my favourite songwriter.”
To fully appreciate Erik’s kind of music, it’s important to pay attention to the lyrics.
Most of his songs tell stories about his life, experiences he’s had, and the emotions he’s felt.
The music he shares bursts with originality and imagination; traits not easily come by in this day and age.
“My favourite song is my newest one. It’s called My Mother’s Smile,” Erik said.
“Most of my songs are personal and writing them is a way for me to work through issues.
“This particular song is about how proud I am to resemble my mother and to represent her in the world. We lost her to cancer when I was young, and the song is a happy way to remember her.”
Erik Parker will be playing at The Basement Bar on Saturday night alongside Old World Sparrow, Jimi Norrstrom and other local artists.
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.”
Comment