Festival is all booked in
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 | 09-Aug-2012
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the writing’s on the wall: Sue Gillett, Philippa Younes and Jordan Pearce prepare for the Bendigo Writers Festival. Photo: ANDREW PERRYMAN
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Write this one into the history books. The first Bendigo Writers Festival has arrived – with a bang. A year in the planning, it has gathered momentum over the months, as one by one the writers came on board, and the program began to take shape around them.
And it looks like being a huge success; today’s schools’ sessions sold out weeks ago, and Festival Pass sales suggest many sessions will be at capacity across the weekend.
The Capital released a small number of two-day passes yesterday, and has held a few two-day and Sunday passes for last-minute sales at the venue.
The packed program brings to Bendigo a who’s who of writing, big names like Ita Buttrose and David Marr, as well as new writers, such as this year’s Vogels Award winner Paul D Carter and Bendigo-born Andrew Grimes, who has just launched the first of his historic crime series.
Ita Buttrose, who has been so much in the news, has just released her updated memoir, so her presence in Bendigo is perfect timing.
Since David Marr agreed to be the opening night keynote speaker, he has officially retired from his long career with the Sydney Morning Herald as their most respected columnist, but he’s also entered the fray again.
He was named by Opposition leader Tony Abbott this week as a journalist who gets away with “upsetting conservative Christians in his attempt to have them see the error of their ways” (over same-sex marriage laws, for instance). And next month, his long Quarterly Essay on Tony Abbott will be published.
Don Watson is trying to hose down readers’ excitement about his next book, which he doesn’t want to talk about but is right in the throes of finishing. Whatever you do, don’t mention the “bush”!
And Gideon Haigh, Sulari Gentill and Leigh Hobbs have hardly had time to unpack their bags from their Byron Bay Writers Festival appearances, before they are packing again to head to Bendigo, for our inaugural event.
“For a first-time event, we have to be happy with this momentum,” council City Futures director Stan Liacos said.
“Well done to all.”
Bendigo Weekly general manager Peter Kennedy said the response to the Festival has exceeded expectations.
“When we first put this idea to the City of Greater Bendigo council and La Trobe University, everyone said, yes, it’s time,” Mr Kennedy said.
“It’s been a great effort by all concerned to make it happen.
“We hope all the visiting writers and everyone who comes to the first festival enjoys this milestone in Bendigo’s history.”
Tickets to keynote sessions: are available from The Capital box office, 5434 6100. Tickets to Deep and Meaningful: readings in the Central Deborah Gold Mine, Saturday at 3pm: 5443 8322.
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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