'Feds to blame'
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 | 02-Feb-2012 THALES JOB CUTS
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Richard Dalla-Riva at Bendigo's Thales factory.
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THE State Government has blamed its federal counterpart for the job losses at Thales’ Bendigo plant.
The company has announced 50 jobs will go because of low production.
Victorian Manufacturing, Exports and Trade Minister Richard Dalla-Riva said the job losses were a direct result of a decision by the Federal Government to source overseas its entire $1.9 billion purchase of new military trucks for the Australian Defence Force.
Mr Dalla-Riva said he had warned in December that the Commonwealth’s decision would result in uncertainty for the future of the Thales workforce in Bendigo.
“As I said at the time, this was a significant missed opportunity for the Commonwealth to guarantee investment and jobs growth in the defence industries of regional Victoria,” Mr Dalla-Riva said.
“That decision did not provide long-term certainty and continuity to this important defence manufacturer and its skilled workforce.
“Thales Bendigo has a proven track record in designing and building the iconic Bushmaster vehicle, which has saved the lives of Australian troops and other allied soldiers in some of the world’s most hostile zones of conflict.
“As a result of the Commonwealth’s decision to source overseas the Land 121 Phase 3 vehicle program, it is now uncertain whether the Bushmaster vehicle will continue to be built in Bendigo beyond the end of 2012.”
Mr Dalla-Riva said Member for Bendigo Steve Gibbons,was quoted in the Bendigo Weekly saying today’s job announcements were “a consequence of Thales being overlooked for a contract” when, in December, the Commonwealth decided to award the Land 121 Phase 3 contract, to the German company Rheinmetall MAN.
Federal Opposition patron senator Michael Ronaldson and Shadow Minister for Defence Science, Technology and Personnel Stuart Robert said the loss of more jobs at Thales Bendigo was the second blow in less than 12 months to the region’s defence manufacturing industry.
“Gillard Government dithering on new defence contracts saw 50 Thales workers lose their jobs last year and now Thales has been forced to announce the retrenchment of a further 50 workers,” Senator Ronaldson sai..
“The Labor Government continues to drag the chain on negotiations for additional Bushmaster armoured personnel carriers to be made in Bendigo and is hedging its bets on whether to go with the Thales-produced Hawkei or the rival US Joint Light Tactical Vehicle.
“Labor gave the US rival a $40 million headstart to develop prototype vehicles and has only now agreed to assist Thales.
“Thales and the Bendigo community are right to feel disappointed that this dysfunctional government again dithers on defence and puts more manufacturing jobs at risk."
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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