Family affair for new candidate
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 | 19-Sep-2012 Election latest
IF things go to plan for the Greens at next month's City of Greater Bendigo council election, there could be some lively discussions around one local dinner table.
The Greens have announced Wendy Radford as their second endorsed candidate for the election.
She will run in the Lockwood Ward.
What makes this a family affair is that Wendy's son, Tim Bardsley, is the Green's candidate in the Eppalock Ward.
Ms Radford, a retired teacher and small business manager, is a mother of two, grandmother of five and a carer for her 92 year old mother.
She said environmental issues were important in the Lockwood Ward.
“Lockwood is a Ward with magnificent natural beauty and biodiversity, as well as suburbs of distinct character which should be preserved,” she said.
“I have plenty of experience in what makes a community tick, and just how valuable councils can be in helping people live their everyday lives.
“I’m so lucky, my whole family lives in Bendigo and we are all committed to the development of this community as a liveable, ecologically viable place – and make no mistake, the two can’t be separated. If we lose the bush we lose liveability."
Ms Radford said threats were looming to "our beloved rural aspect and amenity".
"We need a strong voice on council to advocate for the natural environment," she said.
"Surveys have shown time and again that the people of Bendigo continue to value most highly the natural surrounds that make this city a liveable place.
“My record shows that I will fight for our unique environment. I have been involved with successful campaigns to keep remnant vegetation at Big Hill and Alternate Calder Highway, to protect Kangaroo Flat from a soul destroying, and house price destroying, ring road.
“Of course, Bendigo will grow, but we must have responsible growth, not open slather for the benefit of a few."
The proposed Kangaroo Flat Aquatic Centre is very close to her heart.
“Let’s make this centre a showpiece. Imagine, a 50 metre pool, heated by solar and gas in winter, shaded in summer, within walking or a short, safe bike ride of most residents, available for sporting groups year round, and a fantastic adjunct to health and exercise for the individual citizen," she said.
" I have to admit my own interest here too. I swim three times a week to keep fit and I’d love to not have to travel into town but just nip over to Kangaroo Flat from South Mandurang.
“I believe councillors have to balance the needs of the peri-urban people and the small towns with the demands central Bendigo in a fair way, and if elected, that is what I’ll be endeavouring to do."
Environmental campaiger Stuart Fraser has also announced he will run, this time in the Eppalock Ward.
Mr Fraser ran in the Kangaroo Flat Ward at the last election.
"I have lived almost all my life within Bendigo, a city that has as its defining character a distinctive built environment existing within a Box-ironbark forest," he said.
"As I have lived within Bendigo but spent my working life in agriculture across the region, I feel that it would be good to be involved in the future development of the City of Greater Bendigo and in doing so give something back."
Mr Fraser said he would support an independent review of council.
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.”
